Hi, Bobert: Can I un-mention the Lennon song? In truth, I don't have that album and only know it for its title. What I mean by working stiffs are people who are generous-spirited without seeking recognition or appreciation. People who see a job that has to be done and do it, because it's the right thing to do. I'm not talking about the Proletariat or any doctrine. Let me give you an example of a Working Stiff..

When I've gone into nursing homes to sing, men are conspicuous by their absence. I try to go around and talk to people as much as I can and now that I have my wife Ruth to visit with me, between us we can talk to just about everyone. One man particularly stuck in my head. He'd worked for the railroad and was very proud of the work he'd done. He was very frail, and heavily medicated, and when he shook my hand you could feel how sickness and age had sucked the strength out of him. That night, I dreamt about the people I'd met at the nursing home and a verse came out about him..

"He worked for the railroad, ten hours a day
And they said he was good with his hands
An honest day's work for an honest day's pay
Was enough for a hard-working man
And now he just sits there with nothing to do
And he's lost all the strength in his hands
But he still talks with pride of the work that he's done
And you know he's no less of a man

There are two familiar sayings in that verse that seem to have gone out of style: "They said he was good with his hands." Men (and women) took pride in things that they made with their hands. Saying that you were "good with your hands" was a real compliment. What does that mean, now? "An honest day's work for an honest day's pay" seems hopelessly old-fashioned, now. But I still see people who believe that. It doesn't make any difference how unpretentious and unglamorous their job is... they still try to give an honest day's work.

I mention the people who run sound systems at folk clubs. I think of Brent Hall, who runs the sound for two folk clubs, and just shuffles his feet in embarassment when you tell him how important he is, and how much you aprpeciate what he's done.

Working stiffs say "Aw, shucks, it wasn't nothin.." Forget glamorizing the working class, or making them into idols. The New York City firefighters and police are working stiffs who found themselves in a situation that called for heroism. They just did what needed to be done.

Yes, Bobert, I think that you do know what I mean... thanks for clarifying the Lennon song... I'm talking about something different..

Jerry