The Living Wage (labor song of the month Jan 2010)

[Omaha Steve]

http://labornotes.org/2009/12/living-wage



Listen to the song at link.

Kristin says: As a single mom holding only part time jobs for awhile, I did live this song, though the starting number was higher. I always said I started the month in the middle class, dwindled to working poor as the month went on, and usually ended the month as a debtor.

Or as another song I wrote put it,

My paycheck's fine, for two weeks it's enough,
but unfortunately it comes once a month...


The Living Wage

Well I'm a working woman and a single mother too
I got a full time job, it seemed the only thing to do
Now I work five days, it's a 40 hour week
And here's my life, come close and take a peek
> And here's my life, come close and take a peek

It's $1200 a month before the SSI and tax
The take-home pay is $900 and 1/2
And the rent takes half of that, leaving $475
With a hundred for the groceries to keep us all alive
With a hundred for the groceries to keep us all alive
Kristin Lems

From the $375, take out $50 for the heat
And $50 for the lights and phone, utilities complete,
From the $275 take my public transport pass
To get me to and from this job, for which I bust my ass
To get me to and from this job, for which I bust my ass

But I haven't finished yet, no, my babies are so young
That one is not in school yet, he has not yet begun
So I pay $200 to a mom who lives near me
So she can spend ten hours a day with him -- instead of me
So she can spend 10 precious hours with him - instead of me


Kristin Lems

And add to that the clothing bill, the cleaning bill, the shoes
Prescriptions and medicine, birthday gifts and Brownie dues
And take all of that from the sum of $75
And your guess is as good as mine just how we stay alive
And your guess is as good as mine just how we stay alive

But the system is so thoughtful and the bankers are so kind
They've given me some credit cards for when I fall behind
So I make my monthly payments, a mere 39 to go --
Just looking at this nightmare makes me want to stay at home
Just looking at this nightmare makes me want to stay at home

They're trying to get welfare mothers into full time jobs
If we aren't thrilled to leave the home, they call us lazy slobs -
Offer minimum wage, no benefits, and no childcare, naturally
So more can join the weary ranks of working poor like me
So more can join the weary ranks of working poor like me

Oh I'd like to take each potbellied pol who talks that way
And let him try to take a walk in my shoes for a day,
He'd be screaming and crying and begging and irate
To raise the living wage now, before it is too late
To raise the living wage now, before it is too late

For I'm a working woman and a single mother too
I left my full time job, it seemed the only thing to do
And until that happy day that the living wage is raised,
I'll do odd jobs, stay with my kids, and home is where I'll stay
This rich land can afford it, we have got to find a way
We've got to raise the living wage -- we've got to find a way!


Personnel: Kristin Lems, vocals, guitar, flute, co-producer; Steve Rashid, keyboard bass, co-producer, engineering, mixdown.

Kristin Lems is a member of AFM Local 1000.

Buy Kristin's Equality Road CD.

[maryf]

1. K&R

cheers!! Hope this helps her buy the groceries, really.