Facing the world ain't easy when there isn't anything going
standing at the corner waiting watching time go by
will i go to work today or shall i bide my time
'cos when i see that union man walking down the street
he's the man who decides if i live or i die, if i starve, or i eat
then he walks up to me and the sun begins to shine
then he walks right past and i know that i've got to get back in the line
now i think of what my mamma told me
she always said that it would never ever work out
but all i want to do is make some money
and bring you home some wine
for i don't ever want you to see me
standing in that line
'cause that union man's got such a hold over me
he's the man who decides if i live or i die, if i starve, or i eat
then he walks up to me and the sun begins to shine
then he walks right past and i know that i've got to get back in the line