by Geof Morgan
- Geof Morgan sings about men's work
SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL
When I was a boy, I wanted to be older
But I didn’t know that higher up the air grows colder
My shoulder to the wheel, just like my father
And the wheel keeps a’turning and the work keeps getting harder
I’m up every morning, racing with the sun
For just my two hands there’s too much to be done
For everything I own, I’ve always had to borrow
I can’t die today Lord, the payment’s due tomorrow.
I’m only thirty-five but I feel I’m pushing ninety
I keep having nightmares, good God almighty
I dream they’ve laid me out, I’m six feet under, free
What’s that I hear, the boss is digging after me!
I’ve a wife at home, Lord I hardly know her
The years have made us strangers instead of growing closer
Nine babies crying, too many mouths to feed
I wish sometimes she’d turned away, when I had the need
When they lay me down, I’ll finally get some rest
A pillow for my head and a rose for my chest
Don’t let that preacher say too much on my grave
The ones who are still living are the ones who need to be saved
Repeat 1st verse.
Written by Geof Morgan, © 1981, Geof Morgan, (BMI)
from Finally Letting It Go, Flying Fish Records #277