HELLO AMERICA! (x0 hour week)

Hello America! I want to thank you for your time. Those are the last lyrics of a famous country / rock /? pop tune from the 80’s. I always loved it and it has stuck with me over the years probably because of its catchy hooks, geographic references and scenic music video.

The song pays tribute to people in the workforce back in the 80’s. Auto workers, steel mill workers, carpenters, store clerks, firefighters, post office workers, farmers, coal miners, truck drivers, warehouse workers, waitresses, mechanics and policemen are all “working behind the scenes” together to keep this “country turning around.” All very important work and some are less in demand now in the 21st century than back in the 1980’s.

So I wrote a bunch of updated lyrics a while back to honor some of the new types of workers that we may or may not see today. I wanted to let them know that they are seen, appreciated and to thank them for their time. Enjoy and happy labor day!

“There are people in this country who work hard every day; Not for fame or fortune do they strive; But the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay; And it's time a few of them were recognized “ *

Hello Korean Deli Owner, let me thank you for your time

You work an eighty hour week for a livin',?just to give your kids a chance to shine?

Hello Mexican Migrant Farmer, let me thank you for your time?

You work an eighty hour week for a livin',?just to let your family good lives

This is for the one who drives the L, up and down the track?

For the dad who stays at home, bringing up the pack

For the teacher, the admin, the custodian down the hall?

For everyone who works behind the scenes?

You might not see them every morning in the Starbucks and the train

Or in the city streets and the quiet country towns?

But they're still Working together, like spokes inside a wheel?

They keep this Economy turning around?

Hello Telecom tower climber, let me thank you for your time?

You work 40 stories high for a livin', just to keep our cell phones online?

Hello IT Offshore worker, let me thank you for your time?

You work for lower than market wages for a livin', just to keep up the bottom line?

Hello Brown Clad Parcel Driver, let me thank you for your time?

You work a mobile hour week for a livin', just to make the shipments on time?

Hello Amazon Fulfillment worker, let me thank you for your time?

You work a seasonal job for a livin', just to keep it up at Christmastime?

This is for the one who drives for Uber, up and down the road?

For the one at Costco warehouse, bringing in the load?

For the nanny, the TSA agent, the security guard on patrol?

For everyone who works behind the scenes;?“With a spirit you can't replace with no machine?

Hello America…….. let me thank you for your time” *

*original lyrics quoted from 40 Hour Week (For a Livin')" is a song written by Dave Loggins, Don Schlitz and Lisa Silver, and recorded by American country music band Alabama. It was released in April 1985 as the second single and title track from