Horrible Histories - Work, Terrible Work lyrics

rate me

In good old Queen Victoria's day

Industrial revolution

Bosses said 'Please, we need more employees'

We needed a solution

Who will climb our chimneys?

Who will power our grids?

Victorian families to desperately poor

They'll let us employ their kids for

Work, terrible work

From very young ages

Up chimneys to clean

Paid pitiful wages

Work, terrible work

Pins make you work faster

If we grow too big

Get sacked by the master!

Now you're all in my employ

Cleaning in the factory

We're not very strong

And the hours are long

This work is unsatisfactory!

Learn not to get caught in spokes

Or trap our hands in gages

To stop machines and get you out

Will cost you a week's wages!

Work, terrible work

There's no health and safety

So if we get hurt

They will just replace me

Work, terrible work

Now that I am short of cash

I have to pick pockets

Wallets from gentlemen

And lady's lockets

Small enough to get away

Hardly ever caught

And if we are, we're kids you see

To cry is what we're taught

Work, terrible work

Dangerous and demeaning

No time to complain

Get back to your cleaning

Work, terrible work

Guess what we are dreaming

School, glorious school!

Wonderful school!

Marvellous school!

Wish we went to school!