W.P.A.
Louis Armstrong / Cab Calloway Lyrics
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It ain't daybreak, but it's four O'clock
Oh, no, no, no, Pops, you know that ain't the play
What you talkin' 'bout? It's the W.P.A.
The W.P.A.
Sleep while you work, while you rest, while you play
Lean on your shovel to pass the time away
T'ain't what you do; you can't die for your pay
The W.P.A.
The W.P.A.
The W.P.A.
Now don't be a fool; working hard is passe
You'll stand from five to six hours a day
Sit down and joke while you smoke; it's okay
The W.P.A.
I'm so tired, I don't know what to do
Can't get fired, so I'll take my rest until my work
Is through
The W.P.A.
The W.P.A.
Don't mind the boss if he's cross when you're gay
He'll get a pink slip next month anyway
Three little letters that make life okay
The W.P.A.
The song "W.P.A." by Louis Armstrong and the Mills Brothers is a satirical take on the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a New Deal program created in 1935 to provide employment to millions of out-of-work Americans during the Great Depression. The lyrics of the song suggest that the WPA was a place where workers could take it easy, lean on their shovels, and pass the time away. The singer encourages his fellow workers to sleep while they work, to sit down and joke while they smoke, and to enjoy their jobs because they can't get fired.
Despite the upbeat tone of the song, there is a sense of resignation and exhaustion in the lyrics. The singer admits, "I'm so tired, I don't know what to do," and suggests that the WPA is a place where workers go to "take [their] rest until [their] work is through." The repeated refrain, "The W.P.A., the W.P.A.," becomes almost a mantra, suggesting that the workers have resigned themselves to their fate and are finding solace in the fact that they at least have a job.
Overall, "W.P.A." is a fascinating glimpse into the lives and attitudes of Depression-era workers, and it offers a satirical commentary on the WPA and its impact on American society.
Line by Line Meaning
Now wake up, boys, get out on the rock
Come on guys, it's time to start working
It ain't daybreak, but it's four O'clock
It's early, but we have to start working now
Oh, no, no, no, Pops, you know that ain't the play
We don't want to work hard
What you talkin' 'bout? It's the W.P.A.
We're part of the Works Progress Administration
The W.P.A.
Works Progress Administration
Sleep while you work, while you rest, while you play
You can rest while you're working, resting, or playing
Lean on your shovel to pass the time away
Don't work too hard, just lean on your shovel and take it easy
T'ain't what you do; you can't die for your pay
Don't work too hard, it's not worth dying for your salary
Now don't be a fool; working hard is passe
Working hard is out of fashion, don't be stupid
You'll stand from five to six hours a day
You only have to work for a few hours each day
Sit down and joke while you smoke; it's okay
You can sit and relax, smoke and joke around if you want
I'm so tired, I don't know what to do
I'm exhausted and don't know how to cope
Can't get fired, so I'll take my rest until my work is through
I can't be fired, so I'll take my time to finish my work
Don't mind the boss if he's cross when you're gay
Don't worry about the boss if he's upset - he'll be gone soon
He'll get a pink slip next month anyway
He'll be getting fired soon
Three little letters that make life okay
WPA - the letters that make our lives better
The W.P.A.
Works Progress Administration
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: J. STONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind