Ordinary Man
The Scarlet Scallywags Lyrics
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I had to work for everything I own
I never asked for a lot I was happy with what I got
Enought to keep my family and my home
Now they say that times are hard and they've handed me my card
They say there's not the work to go around
When the whistle blows, the gates will finally close
Tonight they're going to shut this factory down
I never missed a day, nor went on strike for better pay
For twenty years I served them the best I could
With a handshake and a check it's so easy to forget
The loyalty through the bad times and the good
Now the owner says he's sad to see that things have got so bad
But the captain's of industry won't let him loose
But still he drives a car, and smokes his big cigars
Still he takes his family on a cruise
He'll never lose
It seems to be such a cruel irony
He's richer now than he ever was before
Now my check is spent and I can't afford the rent
One law for the rich, one for the poor
Everyday I try to salvage, so of my pride
To find some work so I might pay my way
But everywhere I go, the answer's always,"No"
No work for anyone here today
No work today
Here condemned I stand just an ordinary
Man, like thousands before me in the queue
I watch my darlin' wife while tryin' to make the best of life
God knows what the kids are goin' to do
Now that we are faced, with this human waste
A generation cast aside
As long as I live, I never will forgive
They've stripped me of my dignity and pride
You've stripped me bare
No work today
The Scarlet Scallywags in their song Ordinary Man captures the life of a working-class man who is frustrated with the reality of his circumstances. The lyrics reveal his hard-working nature and contentment with the little he has. He has worked for 20 years in a factory, showing loyalty through thick and thin, only to be laid off in the end because there isn't enough work. The pain of losing a job is expressed through the shut down of the factory, which signifies the abrupt end of his routine and livelihood. In contrast, the factory owner, who is unwilling to let go, still enjoys the luxury of his wealthy status. The song emphasizes the inequality between the rich and poor and how the same system that creates poverty enriches those at the top. It highlights the challenge and frustration that working-class people face, trying to make ends meet due to a lack of job opportunities.
The song Ordinary Man resonates with many people who have experienced losing their jobs and how it can impact their lives. It speaks directly to the problem of income inequality and how it affects ordinary people's dignity and pride. The song is a reminder that people's lives cannot be reduced to mere statistics, and the government and corporate leaders must take responsibility for creating a fair and just system. The Scarlet Scallywags have creatively expressed the hardship of the working-class people and provide a voice for the poor and marginalized.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm an ordinary man, nothin' special nothin' grand
I am just like any other person, I am not unique nor exceptional.
I had to work for everything I own
Everything I have, I earned it through hard work.
I never asked for a lot I was happy with what I got
I am content with what I have, I am not a greedy person.
Enought to keep my family and my home
I have enough possessions to sustain my household and living space.
Now they say that times are hard and they've handed me my card
The company is firing me due to financial struggles.
They say there's not the work to go around
According to them, there are no other job opportunities available.
When the whistle blows, the gates will finally close
Once the workday is over, the factory will be shut down indefinitely.
Tonight they're going to shut this factory down
The factory is closing permanently and everyone is losing their jobs.
And they'll tear it down
After the factory is closed, it will be demolished.
I never missed a day, nor went on strike for better pay
I have always been dependable and have never protested for higher wages.
For twenty years I served them the best I could
I have been working at the factory for two decades and have always put forth my best effort.
With a handshake and a check it's so easy to forget
The company only rewards its employees financially and not through personal recognition.
The loyalty through the bad times and the good
Despite the ups and downs of the company, I have remained loyal and hardworking.
Now the owner says he's sad to see that things have got so bad
The owner of the company expresses his regret over the financial issues.
But the captain's of industry won't let him loose
The wealthy people in power will not allow the owner to change the financial state of the company.
But still he drives a car, and smokes his big cigars
Despite the company's issues, the owner still lives a luxurious life.
Still he takes his family on a cruise
The owner's family indulges in expensive vacations even though the company is struggling.
He'll never lose
The owner will not suffer consequences for his mistakes, unlike the workers who lost their jobs.
It seems to be such a cruel irony
It is unfair and unfortunate that the company is closing when the owner is still wealthy.
He's richer now than he ever was before
Despite the company's financial struggles, the owner has gained more wealth.
Now my check is spent and I can't afford the rent
I have no money left from my last paycheck and cannot pay for housing.
One law for the rich, one for the poor
The wealthy receive more opportunities and benefits than the poor.
Everyday I try to salvage, so of my pride
I attempt to salvage what little pride I have left every day.
To find some work so I might pay my way
I search for employment so I can provide for myself financially.
But everywhere I go, the answer's always,"No"
I am repeatedly denied job opportunities wherever I search.
No work for anyone here today
There are no jobs available for anyone today.
Here condemned I stand just an ordinary
I am an ordinary person who has been condemned to poverty due to job loss.
Man, like thousands before me in the queue
Like many before me who are also unemployed and struggling financially.
I watch my darlin' wife while tryin' to make the best of life
I look at my wife, who is also struggling, and try to remain optimistic.
God knows what the kids are goin' to do
I worry about my children's future and how they will be impacted by financial struggles.
Now that we are faced, with this human waste
So many hardworking people have been discarded and are now suffering.
A generation cast aside
An entire generation of people has been disregarded and dismissed by the wealthy and powerful.
As long as I live, I never will forgive
I will never forgive those who caused me to lose my job and suffer financially.
They've stripped me of my dignity and pride
Losing my job has caused me to feel ashamed and inferior.
You've stripped me bare
The company has taken everything from me, including my self-worth.
No work today
There are no job opportunities available today.
Writer(s): Peter Hames
Contributed by Liam I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Dibre
on The Girl with the Red Waving Hair
Shuffling forward through another cobbled lane
A spook in the bookshop window pane
The cold predawn air
Young nocturnal day
And an unsettling notion all along the way
I’m feeling quite queasy, should pause for a spell
Guess, I’m not just well-oiled, rather shit-faced as hell
Yeah, I’m checkmate and she stripped me bare
The girl with the red-waving hair
Oh, I always knew I missed the hitch
But it’s truly an awkward affair
Being afflicted by red haired sortilege
The girl with the red-waving hair
Oh the girl with the red-waving hair
I found my blood-bespotted front tooth in the dirt
And a single ginger hair upon my shirt
A pain in my head
My knuckles feel sore
My pockets are all empty, not a penny anymore
I saw her at the bar
Flashy reddish-blazing star
Bought some drinks to get her drunk, but underrated her by far
Turned out her stamina was stronger than my lust
So we drank until I kissed the dust
Oh, I always knew I missed the hitch
But it’s truly an awkward affair
Being afflicted by red haired sortilege
The girl with the red-waving hair
Oh the girl with the red-waving hair
Then the guy behind the bar jumped at the chance
And he asked the red haired lady for a dance
She granted me a short coquettish blink
Then took the bar man‘s hand and put aside her drink
I leapt up to my feet
Grabbed the nearest empty stool
And smashed it on his head, screamin‘ out, “Take that, you fool!“
He then seemed quite upset
And started beating my poor face
Until my front tooth flapped away, it was the ultimate disgrace
I didn’t favor that and so that he might see
I carressed his damn nose with my knee
Oh, I always knew I missed the hitch
But it’s truly an awkward affair
Being afflicted by red haired sortilege
The girl with the red-waving hair
Oh the girl with the red-waving hair
By Christ, beware – oh-oh
Of the girl with the red-waving hair – oh-oh
Or else you’ll end up in her snare
Oh I ruined myself in a single night
But, to be honest, I really don’t care
It was worth all the trouble, for I got a kiss
Of the girl with the red-waving hair
Oh, the girl with the red-waving hair