Sixteen tables, four chairs at each one
Two shows every night she's on the run
Three coffees here, five desserts there, let's go
And some jerk over there says she's too slow

CHORUS:
Please tip your waitress, she's workin' hard for you
She'll walk a few miles more before she's through
She's got bills to pay and food to buy like you
Please tip your waitress 'cause she's workin' hard for you

It's "honey" this and "dear" that all the time
But that's not half as bad as all those lines
She's a strong woman and her temper's gonna perk
If one more guy asks when she gets off work
(Chorus)

When she gets home from work she still can't rest
'Cause tomorrow at the college there's a test
She's up early in the morning as a rule
Makin' sure the kids get off to school
(Chorus)

Her paycheck's low, she does the work of two
When something's wrong, folks blame you know who
And then they say, Come on now, where's your smile?
While the owner's gettin' richer all the while
(Chorus)

By Willie Sordill
© 1978 Willie Sordill

Notes: "I had a friend who worked as a waitress in a place where the same guy would walk in every night, sit at the same table in her station and order the same thing," says songwriter Willie Sordill. "He never left a tip, but he expected good service, with a smile, of course.
"One night he thought he'd impress a woman friend by bringing her to this place for dinner and showing her how well he was known there. So instead of ordering what he wanted by name, he said, 'I'll have the usual: you know, right?'
"My friend did know. She said, 'Well, of course: medium—well steak, mashed potatoes, vegetable of the day and no tip, right?'. . . She got a tip after that."
Willie performs folk, blues, bluegrass, and his own originals, including progressive men's songs. He now lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Source: Sing Out! Magazine, Volume 28, Number 1 (1980) page 23

Willie Sordill recording (Folkways): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvqx1UPt5-I

Bobbie McGee recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFRpce5Cbrk

I'll be glad to transcribe a MIDI of the melody if somebody requests it.