Happy Labor Day!

I wasn’t in the world of work long compared to most of my contemporaries, just until I was 49, when some major health issues confronted me. And – except for some janitorial work the summer after high school – I never did much manual labor. My work came at a desk or in front of a classroom.

So Labor Day isn’t really mine. It belongs to the folks who work harder jobs than I ever had, and to the people who organized the unions, giving time and sometimes blood to help working folks thrive.

Here’s “Union Man” by the Cate Brothers. It went to No. 24 in 1975.

Well, it’s six a.m., I’m out on the job
Working like a fool for my pay
A big man walks by with a smile
Says you got to go on strike today

Hey, hey, Mr. Union Man
How am I gonna pay my dues?
Or the landlord or the doctor?
How am I getting new shoes?

Well, I know I need to help to get that raise
There’s one thing I don’t like
Tell me how can I feed my hungry family
If you say I’m going on strike

Hey, hey, Mr. Union Man
How am I gonna pay my dues?
Owe more money than I can pay
Looks like I’m bound to lose

Well, I don’t see how I’m going to get ahead
Seem like there ain’t no way
Well, he said don’t worry, ’cause I understand
Won’t you try to see things my way?

Hey, hey, Mr. Union Man
Thank you for the helping hand
Hey, hey, Mr. Union Man
So glad you understand

Tags: Cate Brothers