i m not afraid to bend my back i m not afraid of dirt but how i fear the things i do for lack of honest work my family is lost to me they could not bear the hurt to see the state their boy is in for lack of honest work i hold no blame for anyone twas i who did arrange to pay my union dues so i d not have to learn or change and when i was replaced twas i who started down the hill and drank away my savings til i couldn t stop myself the prophets of a brave new world captains of industry have visions grand and great designs but none have room for me they see a world where everyone is rich and smart and young but if i live to see such things too late for me they come i know i m not the only one to fall beneath the wheel such company can not assuage the loneliness i feel so many are resigned to be society s debris but i will be remembered for the life life took from me for i m not afraid to bend my back i m not afraid of dirt but how i fear the things i do for lack of honest work but how i fear the things i do for lack of honest work