Automation Song lyrics

Song information

Artist: Phil Ochs
Album: All The News That's Fit To Sing

Lyrics

G b7 em am7 d7 g
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