In good old Queen Victoria's day
|
Industrial revolution
|
Bosses said 'Please, we need more employees'
|
We needed a solution
|
|
Who will climb our chimneys?
|
Who will power our grids?
|
Victorian families to desperately poor
|
They'll let us employ their kids for
|
|
Work, terrible work
|
From very young ages
|
Up chimneys to clean
|
Paid pitiful wages
|
Work, terrible work
|
Pins make you work faster
|
If we grow too big
|
Get sacked by the master!
|
|
Now you're all in my employ
|
Cleaning in the factory
|
We're not very strong
|
And the hours are long
|
This work is unsatisfactory!
|
Learn not to get caught in spokes
|
Or trap our hands in gages
|
To stop machines and get you out
|
Will cost you a week's wages!
|
|
Work, terrible work
|
There's no health and safety
|
So if we get hurt
|
They will just replace me
|
Work, terrible work
|
|
Now that I am short of cash
|
I have to pick pockets
|
Wallets from gentlemen
|
And lady's lockets
|
|
Small enough to get away
|
Hardly ever caught
|
And if we are, we're kids you see
|
To cry is what we're taught
|
|
Work, terrible work
|
Dangerous and demeaning
|
No time to complain
|
Get back to your cleaning
|
Work, terrible work
|
Guess what we are dreaming
|
School, glorious school!
|
Wonderful school!
|
Marvellous school!
|
Wish we went to school!
|
|
-----------------
|
Work, Terrible Work
|
Horrible Histories |