Workers' Follies (With apologies to Mr. Sondheim!)

(Sung to the tune from Sondheim's 'Follies' - 'It's like I'm Losing My Mind.')

The bills come in

The money goes out

Don’t seem to win

But never do shout

I vote my interests

But don’t ever move up

I don’t seem to move up

Week after week I fulfill the boss’ dreams

He makes his profits on the dot

But in the end no matter what I do it seems

He clears a lot

I still have squat

And bills come in

My money flows out

I need a win

Instead of a rout

If I could just get some help or a raise

Instead I get empty praise.

Sometimes I sit in my cubicle and pray

For a sweepstakes win or such

But then the boss with a smirk will come and say

You’re out of touch

You’re paid too much

So bills come in

I’ve got nothing left

It is no sin

To be so bereft

He says he needs me or is he just being kind

If I should die would he mind?

Day after day I forgo my lunchtime break

But it goes unknown

I sit and work for the company’s own sake

Answer the phone

My future’s blown

And more bills come

More money is lost

My outlook’s glum

My life is the cost

To all my suffering they turn away blind

If I should die would they mind?


The Earth does spin
And with every turn
More bills come in
My savings I burn
I try to pay all without falling behind
If I should die THEY would mind!!