Livin’ on the Minimum Wage
© 2014 Music & Lyrics by Amy Barlow Liberatore/Beehat Baby Words & Music
Dedicated to the fight for economic justice in the USA
CHORUS:
Livin’ on the minimum wage
Slavin’ for the man who don’t need more
Bet he never felt what it’s like to be poor
My life’s a story of this sad age
I’m livin’ – givin’ – livin’ on the minimum wage
St. Vinny pray for me and mine
Jeans and sneaks and hoodies I’ve gotta find
Squeezin’ every dollar ‘til the eagle screams
Fight in pantry lines for the rice and beans
Where’s my golden ticket? Want a golden ticket!
Where’s my golden ticket? Need a golden ticket!
CHORUS
Does my congressman know what it means
WalMart and McDonald’s don’t pay beans
Put ‘em all together, it’s full-time work
If my kids get sick, then my boss is a jerk
“Doncha got a sitter? You should have a sitter!”
If I had the money… SURE I’d have a sitter!
CHORUS
Waitin’ in the clinic with the kids today
Cut off my Medicaid, now I’ve gotta pay
Why they tryin’ to tell me I make too much
Daycare, rent, food, gas, and such
Man, they make it harder. Why they make it harder?
Life is getting harder… I won’t be a martyr!
CHORUS
I wrote this song (think “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?” vibe for music… sorry, I don’t have a recording) for a Justice and Witness Ministries event at our United Church of Christ here in Madison, WI. Have we all worked minimum wage/maximum effort jobs? Sure, in our teens, our twenties, maybe… But nowadays, I see parents, grandparents, all slaving for a buck.
We need to do better by our workers. This is America, a country of immigrants who seem to have forgotten that we stole the whole deal from the Tribal Nations and then “imported” human beings like cattle to build it up for free. We need to regain a sense of humility and compassion. That’s my Labor Day prayer.
For ABC Wednesday, I for Income Inequality! Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Thomas M. Watt
Upload it, I want to hear.
http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com
Heartbreaking – yes, I’ve lived through those times, but pulled myself out by grit and determination.
Misky
You are such a enormous talent, Amy!
Roger Green
Well, you should KNOW how I feel http://www.rogerogreen.com/2015/09/06/on-raising-the-minimum-wage/
ROG, ABCW
Nancy Mattice
Amy, The lyrics really say it! Where can I hear the song?
Mama Zen
Perfect.
kaykuala h
Laments of the labor force and woes for family life. Things are coming to a head. It is now everywhere. We feel it here also and it is going to get worse. China devalued its currency on Aug 11,2015. (to make its exports relatively cheaper). It means pushing exports and reducing imports. Commodity exports from our country to China will be adversely affected. We are looking at recession right in the eye. It is now not just ‘minimum wages’ for the labor force but even employment in certain sectors of the economy in jeopardy.It is world-wide and 2016 may not be looking good! And you said it as it is and it is most timely Amelita! Great song the way it is going!
Hank
Melody
Goodmorning
Living like this makes one inventive and that alone can be very joyfull.
Have a nice day!
♫ Mel☺dy ♫ (abc-w-team)
uberrhund
I read this as if played by Rage against the Machine, seemed suitable! Nice work!
tsdwords
It is criminal the way we treat wage workers. Your talent is shining again ❤