he was only a windsman, he worked with his hands
yet he's known as an honest and helpful man
his wealth that he gathered was many strong friends
who passed by his grave when he came to his end

there was old "Joe the roofer," a penniless bum
who squandered his life on whiskey and on rum
but whenever he was down and his pocket was a-hurting
he would run to Al Cormier and Al Cormier would give him work

there was Glista the judge who came covered with robes
so deep and distinguished and so very cold
but he was only one of the thousands who did cry
and his tears they fell harder than his gavel that night

you talk of the kingdom and the powerful pen
of men who would like to be followed by men
but to the working man these dreams are just far away games
for they have neither the time nor the money to play

i watched young Carolyn down on her knees
as her father was dying of a dreadful disease
and i thought of the wealth spent on wars and on hate
but death, it is only the living man's fate

by Jack Hardy © 1985 John s. Hardy Music Co. ASCAP