Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Horrible Histories
Canonical path: /horrible-histories/work-terrible-work
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Work, Terrible Work
Read Work, Terrible Work lyrics by Horrible Histories on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
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Lyrics
Work, Terrible Work
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In good old queen victoria's day
Industrial revolution
Bosses said 'please, we need more employees'
We needed a solution
Who will climb our chimneys?
Who will power our grids?
Victorian families to desperately poor
They'll let us employ their kids for
Work, terrible work
From very young ages
Up chimneys to clean
Paid pitiful wages
Work, terrible work
Pins make you work faster
If we grow too big
Get sacked by the master!
Now you're all in my employ
Cleaning in the factory
We're not very strong
And the hours are long
This work is unsatisfactory!
Learn not to get caught in spokes
Or trap our hands in gages
To stop machines and get you out
Will cost you a week's wages!
Work, terrible work
There's no health and safety
So if we get hurt
They will just replace me
Work, terrible work
Now that I am short of cash
I have to pick pockets
Wallets from gentlemen
And lady's lockets
Small enough to get away
Hardly ever caught
And if we are, we're kids you see
To cry is what we're taught
Work, terrible work
Dangerous and demeaning
No time to complain
Get back to your cleaning
Work, terrible work
Guess what we are dreaming
School, glorious school!
Wonderful school!
Marvellous school!
Wish we went to school!
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Who performs "Work, Terrible Work"?
Horrible Histories performs "Work, Terrible Work", and this lyric page sits inside the Horrible Histories catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Work, Terrible Work"?
Yes. The related section below points to Funky Monks and The Cowboy Song with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Horrible Histories?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Horrible Histories's lyric pages.
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