Lonnie Johnson - Working Man's Blues (1947) lyrics

What makes a rooster, crow every mornin’ before day?

What makes a rooster, crow every mornin’ before day?

To let the pimps and ramblers know, the poor workingman is on his way.

We up before sunrise, workin’ ‘leven long hours a day.

We up before sunrise, workin’ ‘leven long hours a day.

We pay house rent and grocery bills, and the pimp gets the rest of the pay.

Men, we got to get together, yes, something’s got to be done.

We make the money, while the pimp has the fun.

You know where there’s only grocery and no money, there ain’t no fun.

Men I found out, you can’t keep a whole woman by yourself.

Yes I found out, you can’t keep a whole woman by yourself.

So you might as well live and let live, and give the other half to somebody else.