THE WORK SONG
(Kate McGarrigle)
Maria Muldaur


Back before the blues were blues,
When the good old songs were new
Songs that may no longer please us
'Bout the darkies, A-bout Jesus
Mississippi minstrels, the color of molasses,
Strumming on their banjos to entertain their massahs,
Some said garbage, some said art
You couldn't call it soul,
You had to call it heart

Backs broke bending digging holes to plant the seeds,
The owners ate the cane and the workers ate the weeds.
Put mud in the stove and water in the cup,
You work so hard you died standing up.