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Man Asks (How Long)

smellyfingers • 1199 followers

I try to live each day
In a happy good way
Working for poor pay
So my boss can play

The rich man just laughs
When a poor man asks
How long can it last
The system of the class?

I try to stay out of crime
Locked up doing time
Isn't what's on my mind
I'm thinking of a world that's blind

The educated man just laughs
When an illiterate man asks
How long does it last
Being bottom of the class?

I try to remember my dreams
Nothing is ever as it seems
In a world of make believe
I watch the action on the streets

The holy man just laughs
When the middle man asks
How long will it last
The religious wars of class?

I'm just another working man
Labelled and numbered again
A statistic of more bullshit in a game
Whatever way I look at it I'm blamed

#class-struggle #general #protest-poetry #social-commentary #social-inequality #working-class

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Comments & Feedback (14)

naaviie

Jul 6, 2012 at 11:35 AM

Bugger... Unfair.

smellyfingers

Jul 6, 2012 at 11:49 AM

This piece was inspired by Bruce Springsteen album "The Darkness on the Edge of Town" in the song "Badlands" he says: poor man wanna be rich, rich man wanna be king, and a king ain't satisfied , till he rules everything. Also his song called "Factory" 👍👍 (racing in the streets is my Fav tho ☺)

leelee101

Jul 6, 2012 at 11:51 AM

That's a good write mate well done. Great rhythm to it 👏👍😊🍻

Fly10

Jul 6, 2012 at 11:58 AM

Springsteen! Another lyrical master & one of my faves. Live version of The River still gives me goosebumps everytime I listen. Great piece Richard-perceptive & accurate 😌😘

smellyfingers

Jul 6, 2012 at 12:01 PM

@leelee101 thank you sir glad you liked this one 🍻

smellyfingers

Jul 6, 2012 at 12:05 PM

@Fly10 I agree, his lyrics are amazing (the documentary to this album is cool and I believe it took a few years to make this album as he wanted to prove his songwriting skills and lyrics had depth and meaning, huge amount of material was recorded and tossed away, completed songs which he has recently released from those sessions/recordings "the promised land" I think the album is called) I don't know "The River" but will check it out! Thank you Leigh always appreciate your comments 😘

Fly10

Jul 6, 2012 at 12:07 PM

@smellyfingers You're always welcome. When you check it out, make sure it's the LIVE version...the introduction is a key part in the story x

smellyfingers

Jul 6, 2012 at 12:11 PM

@Fly10 will do!! Speaking of lyrical masters, have you read Bob Dylan's book "choronicles vol 1"?? It's his autobiography written by the good man himself, I just finished it and it's a fascinating read 👍