15 dollars and a union
working women and working men
15 dollars and a union if not now, then when?
There’s no dignity if your wallets empty
How’s it gonna end, when working people got less than they gotta spend?

Two jobs taxman and the landlord
Schools and doctor bills
Grocery line and the bus fare
January brings a chill

Here’s a dime for every phony claim
this was once a perfect union
Buy yourself some Safeway dope and get back to workin’

[chorus]

Hands can make things
hands can break things
wicked walls, criminal laws might turn a wheel or work a line might hold a picket sign
punch a clock till your knuckles bleed
come on home and get on your knees
maybe thoughts and prayers shall support the family

[chorus]

Like a treadmill at the bottom
your dancin’ feet don’t ever stop
You know who’s looking out for you
Not the boys up top
Throw a Roosevelt dime in the wishing well don’t you hear the sound The captains of industry have run the ship aground