Labour Day Song Challenge

Subject: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 02:59 PM

WRite a verse to the tune of Woody Guthrie's Hard Traveling about your job or some job you like or admire.

HARD TRAVELING - Woody Guthrie (1959)

I BEEN HAVIN' SOME HARD TRAVELIN', I THOUGHT YOU KNOWED
I BEEN HAVIN' SOME HARD TRAVELIN', WAY DOWN THE ROAD
I BEEN HITTIN' SOME HARD TRAVELIN', HARD RAMBLIN', HARD GAMBLIN'
I BEEN HAVIN' SOME HARD TRAVELIN', LORD

I BEEN RIDIN' THEM FAST RATTLER'S, I THOUGHT ....
I BEEN RIDIN' THEM FLAT WHEELERS, WAY DOWN ....
I BEEN RIDIN' THEM DEAD ENDERS, BLIND PASSENGERS, PICKIN' UP CINDERS
I BEEN HAVIN' SOME HARD TRAVELIN', LORD

I BEEN HITTIN' SOME HARD ROCK MININ' ....
I BEEN LEANIN' ON A PRESSURE DRILL ....
HAMMER FLYIN' & HOSE SUCKIN', 6 FOOT OF MUD & I SURE BEEN A-MUCKIN'
I BEEN HITTIN' SOME HARD ROCK MININ', LORD

I BEEN WORKIN' THAT PITTSBURGH STEEL ....
I BEEN POURIN' THAT RED HOT SLAG ....
I BEEN BLASTIN', I BEEN FIRIN', I BEEN DUCKIN' RED HOT IRON
I BEEN WORKIN' THAT PITTSBURGH STEEL, LORD

I BEEN HITTIN' SOME HARD HARVESTIN' ....
NORTH DAKOTA TO KANSAS CITY ....
CUTTIN' THAT WHEAT, STACKIN' THAT HAY, TRYIN' TO MAKE 'BOUT A DOLLAR A DAY
I BEEN HITTIN' SOME HARD HARVESTIN', LORD

I BEEN LAYIN' IN A HARD ROCK JAIL ....
I BEEN LAYIN' OUT 90 DAYS ....
MEAN OLD JUDGE, HE SAYS TO ME, "90 DAYS FOR VAGRANCY"
I BEEN LAYIN' IN A HARD ROCK JAIL, LORD

I BEEN HITTIN' THAT LINCOLN HIGHWAY ....
I BEEN HITTIN' THAT "66" ....
HEAVY LOAD & A WORRIED MIND, LOOKIN' FOR SOMETHIN' THAT HARD TO FIND
I BEEN HITTIN' THAT LINCOLN HIGHWAY, LORD

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 03:07 PM

Please note this one was my idea and there will be no cow chips awarded. But I'm looking forward to seeing what y'all write> I promise to tell you what i like about your verses!

Here's mine

I been doing computer programming and I ain't lyin'
I been lookin' at a flashing screen, makin' me blind
I been workin' to a deadline, no time is mine
I been writin' software Lord.

I know it's not up there with "dodgin' red hot iron" but its what I do!

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: SharonA
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 04:29 PM

I been makin' some seed catalogues, I thought you knowed
Seeds for gard'ners with their garden clogs, down deep they're sowed
I been makin' some seed catalogues, with ladybugs and stuff for slugs
I been makin' some seed catalogues, Lord.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 04:53 PM

I always wondered who made those things! Now I know!

Thanks

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Kim C
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 04:55 PM

I been knittin up some socks, I thought you knowed
Gots to keep these peoples feets warm when it snows
I been knittin up some socks, day and night around the clock
I been knittin up some socks, Lord

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 05:35 PM

In honor of the labor of at home mothers who don't get counted on labor day (although I'm now retired from that job myself)...

I been changin' some stinky diapers, I thought you knowed
I been changin' some stinky diapers, what a load
I been changin' dirty diapers, wiping noses, calming gripers,
I been changin' dirty diapers, and I'm bored.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 08:04 PM

Carol – GREAT!!!!!

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: CarolC
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 08:08 PM

Thanks Charlie.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: iamjohnne
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 10:36 PM

I been doing some job searching I thought you know'd I been doing some job searching Way down the road Looking searching Crying dying Gettin back up and Keep on trying I been doing some job searching now

Good thread Jack, this is fun.

Johnne "goin where the weather suits my clothes"

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: MAG
Date: 31 Aug 01 - 11:55 PM

I like that one, Iamjohnne. I can relate.

I been pickin' them books out, I thought you knowed
I been singing' and tellin' stories, up and down the road
I been findin' them on the shelf, for everybody and for myself, Doin' this job's become another cause, Lord.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 02:55 PM

I been doing some job searching I thought you know'd
I been doing some job searching Way down the road
Looking, Searching Crying, dying Gettin back up and Keep on trying
I been doing some job searching now

Good thread Jack, this is fun.

Johnne "goin where the weather suits my clothes"

Johnne,

I reformatted it for you, Your verse is Brilliant! It seems that you and carol have hit on something I hadn't thought of, in todays society, since Woody often sang about people on the margins, perhaps he would have sung about people without jobs.

I also liked yours alot too mag. Are you a folklorist a librarian or both?

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 03:04 PM

Here's one based on a PBS/BBC documentary called I saw recently "Called Dreams" or "Hack Dreams" anyway, you'll get the picture.

I been drive a City Cab on a New York Road
My law degree ain't nothin' here I wish I had knowed
I've been scrimpin. I've been savin. I been good. I been behavin'
Trying to bring my family over lord.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Allan C.
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 03:48 PM

I've been doin' some sink drain cleanin' I thought you knowed
I've been pourin' that hot lye cleaner. Sink overflowed. I've been usin' that worthless plunger, that Drano Foam and that Plumbers' Helper. I've been doin' some sink drain cleanin', Lord.

(No kidding. Really!)

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: iamjohnne
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 04:19 PM

OMG Allan!! I hope all is well now,

Thanks Jack, I never thought of anything I came up with as brilliant......

Johnne "goin where the weather suits my clothes"

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: CarolC
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 05:11 PM

Jack the Sailor,

*grin*

I think the point of my post is that mothers who stay at home to care for their families do have jobs. They just don't get paid for them.

Nice thread, by the way.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 06:33 PM

Hmm, What a mother does is WAY more than a job. My comment was better suited to IamJohnne's post. Your point is well taken and your verse is quite fitting on many many levels.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: CarolC
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 06:41 PM

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: SINSULL
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 07:51 PM

I've been cleaning up after kittens, I thought you know'd
I've been cleaning up after kittens, way down the road
Poop on the sofa; and pee on the floor
Comin' next Tuesday, they're all out the door.
I've been cleaning up after kittens, Lord!

Anybody want a kitten? Or two?

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 12:32 PM

I've been writing some sad song, I thought you knowed
I've been feeling some heart break and I know it showed
Loving that woman, trustin that woman, felt so bad I saw it coming
I been writing some heart break, Lord

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Metchosin
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 12:59 PM

I've been shovelin up the horse shit, I thought you knowed
Every day, steaming apples of the road
I been scoopin' up the dung, for their bums I'd like a bung
Neverending equine fertilizer Lord

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 12:20 PM

Yes, Jack, I'm a librarian. Youth Librarian.

I've been doin' storytime, I thought you knowed
I've been pickin' them toys up, where they been throwed
I been readin' them review journals
Dealin' with patrons who act infernal
Bush ain't makin' this job easier, Lord.

MAG at work

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: SharonA
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 01:08 PM

MAG, honey, Bush ain't makin' NO jobs easier (even for them's of us who still has 'em)... 'ceptin' maybe hiz own.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 01:46 PM

Well not everyone SharonA

I've been doin' corporate lobbyin', you never knowed
Nothin I can tell you, without the secret code
Oh! my job is such a bitch sir
I keep helpin the rich get richer
I've been helpin the corporations hoarde

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 09:52 PM

I've been doing some long lecturing -- I thought you knew --, To these difficult English Majors here at Purdue. I've been doing some hard grading; Student papers seldom are scintillating! But I keep trying for tenure, Lord!

(I'm not at Purdue any more and I don't teach English, but what the heck?)

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: GUEST,Sosumi
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 10:16 PM

I've been doin' some hard lawyerin', I thought you knowed. Suing for those whiplash injuries on all the roads. Chasing that proverbial ambulance, Makin' folks pay thru the nose for negligence, See how that insurance industry's growed!

Sosumi

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: GUEST,Anita Real Job
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 10:21 PM

I been doin' some banjo pickin', I thought you knowed. Everybody keeps tellin' me, "Hey! Hit the road!" I been doin' some hard strummin' But I'd make more money if I was a-bummin'! I been doin' some hard buskerin', Lord!

ARJ

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: MAG
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 11:12 PM

(for diabetics only)

I been doin' some exercise, I thought you knowed
I been walkin' and bicyclin' all over the road
Keep that BG meter happy
By cuttin' out the food that's crappy
I'm so tired of bein' heavy, Lord.

Hey, this is fun.

Kitty's got it too, Lord, I thought you knowed
She gets humulin every mornin', God what a Load! Chase her around and pin her down,
Hold that kitty on the ground,
I love that cat but this gets silly, Lord.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: GUEST,Sonja
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 04:59 AM

I posted this above, but it needed editing.

I've been doing some long lecturing (I thought you knew)

To these prissy English Majors at O.S.U.

I've been doing some orating, conjugating, hard grading;

Lord, I have the proper English blues!

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: GUEST,Lola
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 01:34 AM

I know it's after Labor Day, but I can goof off all year 'round.

I been workin' as little as possible, I tho't ya knowed, Doin' some serious couch potato-ing, I been doin' some channel surfin' H'ors d'oeuvrin', swivel-chair swervin', I been doin' some hard loiterin', Lord!

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Genie
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 03:25 AM

Lola, you forgot hte "way down the road" part of the second line.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: iamjohnne
Date: 07 Sep 01 - 04:46 PM

This has really been a fun thread. We need to do this again next Labor Day.

Johnne

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Sep 01 - 07:55 PM

Thanks folks! As they say here in the South and as I expected it would be... ITS ALL GOOD!!!!

Sonja, your first post was excellent, the second even better!

Sosumi, Obviously your real name! Very funny, I'm still smiling!

Thanks to Lola for her anti-labour post.

Mag Four good ones! Amazing! What's humulin?

Thanks for the Busking one Anita. We needed that one.

Metchosin: I think you may have supplied us with a little Bull Dung there. But it is certainly the good stuff!

SINSULL: Cleaning after kittins.. A labour of love? I think it kind of shopws through your humour.

Allan C. I feel your pain! I bet you'd hate to do that for a living!

Kim C sorry I missed you the first time. I like the line about the "feets". Do you knit socks for a living?

Thank you all for opening my eyes a little. Especially IamJohne and CarolC for their poignant yet funny verses. Not to take anything away from the others because everyone was quite original and great! And thanks SharonA for being there first with a great verse. I kinda thought that you would be.

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 09 Sep 01 - 08:01 PM

One last from me and a request.

I've been working in a farmer's barn
I thought you Knowed
I been working a farmer's barn since last time it snowed
I ain't whining I ain't grousing
Cause I make my livin' mousing
I'm a big ole Tom Cat Lord

My request is a verse or a few verses about labour! Childbirth I mean. I know there is humour and pathos there but I am totaly unqualified to mine it. Cheers and thanks again!!

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: MAG
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 12:43 AM

I ain't been through childbirth, Lord, it used to make me sad
Then all three a' my sisters told me not to feel bad
two had long labor, with C's, belated, one had to be artifically dilated
They all said childbirth's overrated, Lord.

(humulin is fake insulin, Jack. -- MA)

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: MAG
Date: 10 Sep 01 - 12:47 AM

I ain't been through childbirth, Lord, it used to make me sad
Then all three a' my sisters told me not to feel bad
two had long labor, with C's, belated, one had to be artifically dilated
They all said childbirth's overrated, Lord.

(humulin is fake insulin, Jack. -- MA)

Subject: RE: Labour Day Song Challenge
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 02 Sep 02 - 11:42 AM

Bump HAPPY LABOUR DAY!!!