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Factory Whistle's Blowing

Words and Music by Tom Paxton

[Chorus:]
Factory whistle's blowing, other side of town.
Everybody's knowing, factory's closing down.
They can make 'em cheaper over in Japan.
That's the way it goes, now everybody knows,
They don't need the working man.

They can take their money, move it anywhere.
Here today and gone, they can set up in Taiwan,
Or the moon for all I care.
Leaving us a factory, all it grows is weeds.
Leaving us the families, they're the same as ever,
Hungry mouths to feed.

[Chorus:]

Daddy joined the union, nineteen thirty-three.
He took it on the head when I remember that he said
That there is strength in unity.
Now we stand together, paying slips without pay.
Stunned at turnin' over, factory days are over, company's gone away.

[Chorus:]

The president is smiling, “That is free economy.”
But the furnaces are out, and there's very little doubt,
That it ain't very free for me.
The president is smilin', says we're doing fine.
Sure we're doing swell, we're productive as all hell
On the unemployment line.

[Chorus:]
That's the way it goes, now everybody knows,
They don't need the working man.
Factory whistle's blowing.

Thanks to Jiri in the Czech Republic for help in transcribing the lyrics!


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