Here's some lyrics by Harry Stamper, a longshoreman from Coos Bay. He's sent me a few of his CDs and he writes some of the best labor music I've heard.


WE JUST COME TO WORK HERE
By: Harry Stamper

I've been working here for fifteen years
And I've seen some changes come
I've seen some Okies called Californians
And I've seen some poets called bums
I've seen people working for safety
There must be a reason why
It may be we just come to work here
We don't come to die

I'd like to end up with all of my fingers
I don't want my brain to get numb
I'd like to have my ears when retirement nears
I'd like to hear the applause come
I'd like see my grandchildren
And pick them up if they cry
I just come to work here
I don't come to die

CHORUS:
Cause if it's always level on the floor where you're working
And your telephone is OSHA approved
When you tell me how much you're spending on safety
Pardon me if I'm not moved
'Cause ever since nineteen seventy
The law has been on my side
That's why we just come to work here
We don't come to die

Now you be the pitcher and I'll be the batter
You know that's just the old ball game
But when the lines start popping and that load starts dropping
Our situation's not the same
I'm not saying that you don't care
I'm not saying that you don't try
I'm saying we just come to work here
We don't come to die

Now you and I know that the things that aren't code
Could be fixed with relative ease
But we never did get anything
By asking on our knees
So now we're looking you straight in the eye
Shoulder to shoulder and side by side
Saying, we just come to work here
We don't come to die

Chorus