土木作業員ブルース
THE TIMERS Lyrics

The song "土木作業員ブルース" by THE TIMERS is a protest song about the difficult life of construction workers. The lyrics showcase the struggles and hardships of the singer, who is someone working at a construction site. The first verse talks about how tough his job is and how he is hoping for a break or mealtime. He expresses his desire to sleep and rest. The chorus encourages the listeners to keep digging and implies that the sun is getting closer, suggesting that the day is getting longer and the work is far from over.

The second verse talks about the supervisor, who is drinking shochu while the singer is working in the mud, two meters underground. He feels trapped and helpless, and nobody is coming to his rescue. The chorus is repeated with a different phrase, emphasizing the approaching dusk rather than the sun. The third and final verse is about the singer's family, specifically his wife and two children, who rely on him to make a living. He expresses his frustration at how they treat him like an object to be used and discarded. The phrase "彼女がせまってくる" can be translated to "my girlfriend is getting closer," but it can also mean "I'm running out of time" or "my deadline is approaching."

Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the working conditions of construction workers in Japan, specifically in the post-war period when the economy was booming, but many workers were not reaping the benefits fairly. It highlights the physical, emotional, and social toll of the job and the sense of helplessness and isolation that comes with it.