Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Maria Muldaur
Canonical path: /maria-muldaur/the-work-song
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
The Work Song
Read The Work Song lyrics by Maria Muldaur on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
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Lyrics
The Work Song
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Back before the blues were blue
When the good old songs were new
Songs that may no longer please us
'Bout the darkies, about Jesus
Mississippi Minstrels, the color of molasses
Strummin' on their banjos to entertain their massas
Some said garbage, some said art
You couldn't call it soul
You had to call it heart
Backs broke, bending, digging holes to plant the seeds
The owners ate the cane, and the workers ate the weeds
Put wood in the stove and water in the cup
You worked so hard that you died standing up
When I was a little thing
My papa tried to make me sing
Home Sweet Home and Aura Lee
These are songs that my daddy taught me
Camptown Races, and Susanna Don't You Cry
Gentle Annie still brings a tear to my eye
Label it garbage, label it art
You couldn't call it soul
You had to call it heart
Backs broke, bending, digging holes to plant the seeds
The owners ate the cane, and the workers ate the weeds
Put wood in the stove and water in the cup
You worked so hard that you died standing up
Sing me songs 'bout days gone by
Make me laugh, make me cry
Break my female heart in two
Sings me songs that say: I love you
Lower your eyes and raise your hand up to your breast
Sing me one about the sun settin' in the west
Backs broke, bending, digging holes to plant the seeds
The owners ate the cane, and the workers ate the weeds
Put wood in the stove and water in the cup
You worked so hard that you died standing up
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Who performs "The Work Song"?
Maria Muldaur performs "The Work Song", and this lyric page sits inside the Maria Muldaur catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The Work Song"?
Yes. The related section below points to Do Your Duty and To Be Alone With You with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Maria Muldaur?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Maria Muldaur's lyric pages.
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