Excerpt from "talking union" words by lee hayes, millard lampell and pete seeger - inspired by woody guthrie's "talking dustbowl". "talking union" ©1958 st

Ng music, inc., bmi



Lately i've been picking up strange vibrations

I hear my music now on oldies stations

"put out a cd called "the best of what i was"

My picture's on the cover and no one knows



Just when you think you've got the wisdom of the ages

Nobody seems to want to turn your pages

I used to think i was the cat's pajamas

Now i'm about as hip as fernando lamas



(cause i'm) old enough

Old enough to be your father

Old enough

Old enough (and then some)



And now my kids are taking me to the shows

There's hip-hop, rap, grunge music i don't know

I like to think i'm still part of the crowd

But, how can they hear the lyrics

When the music is so loud?!



I dig rock and roll music

(i been saying that for a while)

But i wonder if you knew

That rhythm & blues begat the rock and roll style?

And just like that, way before rap,

Woody guthrie spread the news

He told it straight, let us relate

This talking union blues:



Well if you want higher wages, let me tell you what to do

You've got to talk to the workers in the shop with you

You got to build you a union, got to make it strong

But if you all stick together, boys, it won't be long

You get shorter hours, better working conditions

Vacations with pay, take the kids to the seashore



Well i remember i was seventeen

I was a birmingham high school rock and roll king

The paper talked about how i'd strut my stuff

I'd like to read it, but my arms aren't long enough



I kinda like my new senior status

I don't even care what the latest fad is

My g-generation's rediscovered me

And now i'm on the cover of modern maturity


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