W.P.A.
The Mills Brothers featuring Louis Armstrong 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 Mills Brothers's song W.P.A. is a humorous ode to the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.), a program established in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to create jobs and promote economic recovery during the Great Depression. The song's chorus celebrates the seemingly lax work environment of the W.P.A., encouraging workers to "sleep while you work, while you rest, while you play" and to "lean on your shovel to pass the time away." The lyrics suggest that hard work is no longer necessary and that workers can simply enjoy their leisure time on the job.
The verses of the song feature a conversation between two workers and their supervisor, with the workers expressing reluctance to work and the supervisor insisting that they must. The chorus interrupts with its message of relaxation and carefree attitudes towards work. The overall tone of the song could be seen as critical of the W.P.A. as it suggests that the program was wasteful and inefficient, or it could be seen as a lighthearted take on the challenges facing workers during the Depression.
Line by Line Meaning
Now wake up, boys, get out on the rock
It's time to get up and start working
It ain't daybreak, but it's four O'clock
It's still dark outside, but it's time to start working
Oh, no, no, no, Pops, you know that ain't the play
I don't want to work
What you talkin' 'bout? It's the W.P.A.
The government will pay us to work
The W.P.A.
Works Progress Administration, a government program that provided jobs during the Great Depression
Sleep while you work, while you rest, while you play
Take it easy, you can relax while you work
Lean on your shovel to pass the time away
You can take breaks and not work too hard
T'ain't what you do; you can't die for your pay
Don't work too hard or risk your health for your pay
Now don't be a fool; working hard is passe
Working too hard is not fashionable anymore
You'll stand from five to six hours a day
You only have to work a few hours a day
Sit down and joke while you smoke; it's okay
Take breaks and enjoy yourself, it's allowed
I'm so tired, I don't know what to do
I'm exhausted from doing very little work
Can't get fired, so I'll take my rest until my work
Can't lose my job, so I'll take it easy until my shift ends
Is through
Until the workday ends
Don't mind the boss if he's cross when you're gay
Don't worry about the boss getting upset with your relaxed attitude
He'll get a pink slip next month anyway
The boss will be fired soon, so it doesn't matter
Three little letters that make life okay
W.P.A., the government program that provides jobs and makes life manageable
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: J. STONE
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