~ William “Bill” Ingram ~

“The Third Shift Blues”

Come listen to my story, boys.
It won’t take very long.
I’ll tell you of my troubles
In a sad and dreary song.
My back is broken down

And my heart is broken too.
I’m on the damn old third shift.
What the hell am I going to do?

I once was oh, so happy,
And had a happy home,
Until they got me on the third shift.
The boss said it won’t be long.
He told me I’d be so happy
And I would like it swell.
But he told a damn big lie
And I hope he goes to hell.

My belly hurts, my back it aches.
My spirit is way down low
And when work time comes I feel so bad,
My God, how I hate to go.
My back is broken down
And my heart is broken too.
I’m on the damn old third shift.
What the hell am I going to do?

Don’t listen to the boss man, boys,
He will promise you anything,
Til he gets you on the third shift
Where your head will always ring.
He will get you there and keep you down.
He will laugh and joke with you.
He will say, I got you on the third shift,
What the the hell are you going to do?

Someday I’m going to heaven
Upon my snowy wings,
And when I reach that City,
With the angels I will sing.
But if they put me on the third shift,
I’m going to raise a yell,
And make them kick me out
And send me on to hell.

Editor’s note: The third shift at Cliffside Mill was from 11:00pm until 7:00am, and was not the preferred shift for everyone assigned to it. But all agreed it beat having no job at all.