Working John, Working Joe lyrics - Jethro Tull song

When I was a young man ( as all good tales begin )
I was taught to hold out my hand
And for my pay I worked an honest day
And took what pittance I could win
Now I'm a working John and I'm a working Joe
And I'm doing what I know
For God and Economy -
Big brother watches over me
And the state protects and feed me
And my conscience never leaves me
And I'm loyal to the unions
Who protect me at all levels.

And as I grew the wind of fortune blew
And the bank smiled down upon me
and mortgaged to the hilt I threw
The winds of caution behind me
Now I'm a working John and I'm a working Joe
And I'm doing what I know
For God and Economy -
Have blessed me with equality
Now I'm equal to the best of you
And better then the rest of you
Who would criticise my success
In times of national unrest.

Now I own my horseless carriage
In its central - heated garage
And I commute eighty miles a day -
Up the seven to make it pay
I direct ten limited companies
With seeming consummate expertise
Two ulcers and a heart disease
A trembling feeling in both knees -
I'm a working John and I'm a working Joe.