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, terible 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! There 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!