The Chemical Worker's Song
The Young'Uns Lyrics

A process man am I and I'm tellin' you no lie
I am a worker in a chemical factory, and I am not exaggerating when I say that.

I work and breathe among the fumes that trail across the sky
I work and breathe in a place where poisonous fumes linger in the air.

There's thunder all around me and a poison in the air
The atmosphere is electric and hazardous, as there are toxic fumes in the air.

There's a lousy smell that smacks of hell and dust all in me hair
The smell is unbearable, like the scent of the underworld, and there is dust in my hair.

And it's go boys go, they'll time your every breath
The environment is intense and the management will monitor your every move.

And every day you're in this place you're two days nearer death
Working here shortens your lifespan, and every day here adds two days less to your life.

I've worked among the spinners, I've breathed in the oily smoke
I have worked around the machines that spin, and I have inhaled polluted smoke.

I've shovelled up the gypsum and it neigh 'on makes you choke
I have had to scoop up the byproduct of the production process, and it almost choked me.

I've stood knee deep cyanide, been sick with a caustic burn
I have been exposed to a dangerous chemical called cyanide, and I have also been injured by a caustic substance.

Been working rough and seen enough, to make your stomach turn
I have worked here for a long time, and what I have seen and experienced would make anyone feel sick.

There's overtime and bonus opportunities galore
There are plenty of opportunities to work overtime and get bonuses.

The young lads like the money and they all come back for more
Young people are attracted to the high pay, and they keep coming back to work here.

But soon your knocking on and you look older than you should
As time passes, the work here takes a toll on your body, and you look older than your age.

For every bob made on this job, you'll pay with flesh and blood
The price for the high pay is paid with the worker's physical and mental health.

But you go, they'll time your every breath
Despite everything, the workers continue to work here, knowing that their every move is being monitored.

And every day you're in this place you're two days nearer death
Every moment spent here shortens your life, making you closer to death.

But you go
But despite the dangers and risks, workers still continue to work here, driven by the need for money and job security.