Papa, they're waiting just outside my door
This is where I make my stand, 'cause I can't stand it anymore
Papa, they have no heart and soul
But make no doubt about it, they're the ones that's in control
So prepare yourself for a war unlike you've ever seen
Hmmm, this is man against machine
(Work! Work! Work! Work!)
Ow!
Day in, day out
Bust your back and turn it out
Next morning do it all again
Hard job, or two
So your children won't have to
That's just the way it's always been
But lately I swear the machines
Are living the American dream
Careful calculations, details drawn down to design
Is it really for the better or a better bottom line?
It don't know me from Adam, man; it's rotten to the core
It's going to get reminded, man has kicked its ass before
John Henry's about to show them his team
In this war of man against the machine
(Work! Work! Work! Work!)
Up early, uphill
Spend your youth to pay the bills
Each generation makes a trade
Top Floor, brass tax
Colds the hand that holds the ax
Acts like my dues have not been paid
But pay attention now when I say
Formation isn't happening today
Careful calculations, details drawn down to design
Is it really for the better or a better bottom line?
It don't know me from Adam, man; it's rotten to the core
It's going to get reminded, man has kicked its ass before
John Henry's about to show them his team
In this war of man against the machine
(Work! Work! Work! Work! Work! Work!)
Papa, the power's out; the machines are down
But in this world of darkness, I can still hear a sound
Papa, that sound tears us apart
'Cause I'm a machine myself, but I'm one with a working heart
Careful calculations, details drawn down to design
Is it really for the better or a better bottom line?
It don't know me from Adam, man; it's rotten to the core
It's going to get reminded, man has kicked its ass before
The gloves are off; no love lost between
This war of man against the machine
(Work! Work!)
(Against the machine)
(Work! Work!)
Against the machine
(Work! Work!)
(Against the machine)
(Work! ...Work!)
