I hadn't listened to this for a while. It's a powerful song.
-Joe Offer-

---

JOHNSON
(Tom Paxton)

Johnson, I heard tell you wanted a word with me
Funny thing, I wanted a word with you
Now, with my Joe Harper gone forever,
The kids and me all helter-skelter
Johnson, we've been wondering what we'll do.

Johnson, you're the one who gave the orders
You're the one who sealed off Number Ten
Ah, you said that the fire was set on spreading
You didn't have no choice, you said
And Johnson, that was that for thirty men

That was my Joe Harper down that shaft
He wasn't supposed to work that shift
But my Joe reckoned he had the gift
Of seeing a hard job through
The last I seen of my Joe, he laughed
And told me I was to make my claim
If ever the worst of fortune came
Well, I was to come to you

Johnson, my Joe worked for the company nineteen years
Back all bent, and hands that would make you cry
Crippled hands, and a wore-out back
Family freezing in a company shack
Johnson, that ain't hardly getting by

And now you tell me, Johnson, that we got to go
You said that I can't trade at the company store
Ah, you'd let us stay if it was up to you,
Johnson, one thing you can do
Tell them they ain't got a home no more

That was my Joe Harper down that shaft
He wasn't supposed to work that shift
But my Joe reckoned he had the gift
Of seeing a hard job through
The last I seen of my Joe, he laughed
And told me I was to make my claim
If ever the worst of fortune came
Well, I was to come to you

Johnson, I heard tell you wanted a word with me
Funny thing, I wanted a word with you
Now, with my Joe Harper gone forever,
The kids and me all helter-skelter
Johnson, we've been wondering what we'll do.


Transcribed from the Anne Hills CD, Don't Panic