I worked for the best, I worked for the Steel
Aint nothing but blessed, aint nothing but real
Went there from school if it was but a day
Might make the factory board if I stay
And I could see my life laid out before me forever

This was a land, young and old worked hand in hand
Where the factories were steaming
The mills they were teeming
And all we knew had purpose and meaning

But then one day, the Grand Executioner came
And pulled away the rug from under our feet
Saying "we've done all we can but you have too many men,
Half of you leave at the end of the week"

What am I to do, how can I stay on?
And watch all I knew be buried and gone
They drew a line through the heart of this town
Friends left divided like thieves on the run
And some with time on their hands to do plenty of nothing

This was a land, young and old worked hand in hand
Where the future was certain and there was no word
Or reason fit to make us re-learn

But then one day, the Grand Executioner came
And pulled away the rug from under our feet
Saying "we've done all we can but you have too many men,
Half of you leave at the end of the week"