Phil Ochs - Automation Song Lyrics

G B7 Em Am7 D7 G
Oh I laid down your railroads, every mile of track.
B7 Em Am7 D7 G
With the muscles on my arm and the sweat upon my back.
G7 C G C G
And now the trains are rolling, they roll to every shore
C G A7 D
You tell me that my job is through, there ain't no work no more.
G B7 Em Am7 D7 G
Though I laid down your highways all across the land.
B7 Em Am7 D7 G
With the ringing of the steel and the power of my hands.
G7 C G C G
And now the roads are there like ribbons in the sky,
C G A7 D
You tell me that my job is through but still I wonder why.

Em Bm
For the wages were low and the hours were long
Em D7
And the labour was all I could bear.
Em Bm
Now you've got new machines for to take my place
Am7 D7
And you tell me it's not mine to share.
G B7 Em Am7 D7 G
Though I laid down your factories and laid down your fields,
B7 Em Am7 D7 G
With my feet on the ground and my back to your wheels.
G7 C G C G
And now the smoke is rising, the steel is all a-glow,
C G D7 G
I'm walking down a jobless road and where am I to go.

(repeat)

Em Am D7 G
Tell me, where am I to go.