Getting paid what you earn, or not. Repetitive labour not for money but identity.
lyrics
I painted up the school house while the teacher teached
and when I was done he stepped outside, took a long good look at me and said:
"You're just too stupid to learn anything
now keep yourself outside"
and he paid me away with a calf's liver tied up in paper and twine
Now how do you like that?
I painted up the dance hall while the troupe brewed up choreography
and when I was done I clicked my heels
they laughed and said "you've got two left feet"
They flipped me some coins and a slip of muslin gauze
pointed up the street and said "You belong outdoors"
Now how do you like that?
I used a roller and a pole-arm to paint the city hall
I got all the parapets and the crenellations and I sanded all thirty gargoyles
When I signed my name to say the work's complete
the dirty little duty clerk pointed a finger at me and said
"Get out" (their gratitude was my payment that day)
Now how do you like that?
I painted the prison house - I took my time
I made it stretch to the week's end;
And when I was done, the warden stepped outside and said
"We won't be paying you unless you do it all again"
Now how do you like that?
credits
from What is to be undone?,
released March 29, 2013
Recorded and mixed by Russell Pilling at Damien Gerard.
Additional recording by Savage Tim.
Lyrics & music: Michael Aiken. Arranged by Feick's Device
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