I dedicate this song to the workin' man. For every man that puts in a eight or ten hard hours a day of work and toil and sweat; He's always got somebody lookin' down his neck, tryin' to get more out of him than he really ought to have to put in.
After twenty-nine long years of workin' in this shop with Oney standin' over me,
Today when that old whistle blows, I'll check in all my gear and I'll retire.
The superintendent just dropped by and said they'd planned my little get together.
Then he said I'd never a-made it if old Oney hadn't a-held me to the fire.
I've seen him in my dreams at night and woke up in the mornin' feelin' tired.
And old Oney don't remember, when I came here, how he tried to get me fired.
With his folded hands behind him, every mornin' Oney waited at the gate.
Where he'd rant and rave like I committed murder clockin' in five minutes late.
But today they'll gather 'round me like I've seen 'em do when any man retires.
Then old Oney's gonna tell me from now on I'm free to do what I desire.
He'll present me with that little old gold watch they give a man at times like this.
But there's one thing he's not countin' on: today's the day I give old Oney his.
Ha ha ha ha ha.
I've been workin', buildin' muscles; Oney's just been standin' 'round a gettin' soft.
And today about four-thirty, I'll make up for every good night's sleep I've lost.
When I'm gone I'll be remembered as the workin' man that put his point across.
With a right-hand full of knuckles, 'cos today I show old Oney who's the boss.
Hmmmm! What time is it?
Four thirty!
Hey, Oney! Oney!
Ha ha ha ha ha.
Writer(s): Jerry Chesnut
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