Smile for the Joy of Others

Smile for the Joy of Others

Friday, August 31, 2007

America, Thank You for Your Time

I just wanted to wish everyone a safe and fun Labor Day weekend. I did a little research as to how and why Labor Day came to be. It is basically to honor the working force sowing what keeps America successfully productive so that we, citizens, may reap the benefits. This force ranges from the humble and meek farmers and "farm hands" who do not work for fame nor fortune to the high profile government officials in Washington. If you ponder every job there is, you realize that it takes the whole working force to keep America going.

“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have posted a song by Alabama that humbly honors the working force in America. It's oldie but goodie. If you don't feel like reading it, well, it's playing on my "juke box".


Forty Hour Week (for a livin')~Alabama

There are people in this country who work hard every day.
Not for fame or fortune do they strive.
But the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay.
And it's time a few of them were recognized.
Hello, Detroit, auto workers, let me thank you for your time.
You work a forty hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line.
Hello Pittsburgh steel mill workers, let me thank you for your time.
You work a forty hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line.
This is for the one who swings the hammer, driving home the nail.
Or the one behind the counter, ringing up the sale.
Or the one who fights the fires,
the one who brings the mail.
For everyone who works behind the scenes.
You can see them every morning in the factories and the fields.
In the city streets and the quiet country towns.
Working together like spokes inside a wheel.
They keep this country turning around.
Hello, Kansas, wheat field farmer, let me thank you for your time.
You work a forty hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line.
Hello West Virginia coal miner, let me thank you for your time.
You work a forty hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line.
This one is for the one who drives the big rig, up and down the road.
Or the one out in the warehouse, bringing in the load.
Or the waitress, the mechanic, the policeman on patrol.
For everyone who works behind the scenes.
With a spirit you can't replace with no machine.
Hello, America,
Let me thank you for your time.

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