Phil Ochs - Automation Song lyrics

Oh I laid down your railroads, every mile of track.

B7 Em Am7 D7 G


With the muscles on my arm and the sweat upon my back.

G7 C G C G

And now the trains are rolling, they roll to every shore

C G A7 D

You tell me that my job is through, there ain't no work no more.

G B7 Em Am7 D7 G

Though I laid down your highways all across the land.

B7 Em Am7 D7 G

With the ringing of the steel and the power of my hands.

G7 C G C G

And now the roads are there like ribbons in the sky,

C G A7 D

You tell me that my job is through but still I wonder why.



Em Bm

For the wages were low and the hours were long

Em D7

And the labour was all I could bear.

Em Bm

Now you've got new machines for to take my place

Am7 D7

And you tell me it's not mine to share.

G B7 Em Am7 D7 G

Though I laid down your factories and laid down your fields,

B7 Em Am7 D7 G

With my feet on the ground and my back to your wheels.

G7 C G C G

And now the smoke is rising, the steel is all a-glow,

C G D7 G

I'm walking down a jobless road and where am I to go.



(repeat)



Em Am D7 G

Tell me, where am I to go.