I spent my whole life makin’ somebody rich
I busted my ass for that son-of-a-bitch
And he left me to die like a dog in a ditch
Then he told me I’m all used up
He used up my labor, he used up my time
He plundered my body and squandered my mind
Then he gave me a pension of handouts and wine
And told me I’m all used up
My kids are in hock to a god you call Work
Slaving their lives out for some other jerk
My youngest in Frisco just made “shipping clerk”
And he don’t know I’m all used up
Some young people reach out for power and gold
And they don’t have respect for anything old
Then for pennies they’re bought and
for promises sold
And someday they’ll all be used up
They use up the oil, they use up the trees
They use up the air and they use up the seas
Well how about you friend and how about me?
What’s left when we’re all used up?
I’ll finish my life in this crummy hotel
It’s lousy with bugs and my God what a smell
But my plumbing still works and I’m clear as a bell
So don’t tell me I’m all used up!
Out side my window the world passes by
It gives me a handout then spits in my eye
And no one can tell me, cause no one knows why
I’m still livin’ but I’m all used up!
Sometimes in my dreams I sit by a tree
My life is a book of how things used to be
And the kids gather round and they listen to me
And they don’t think I’m all used up
And there’s songs and there’s laughter, and
things I can do
And all that I’ve learned I can give back to you
And I’d give my last breath just to make it come true
No, I’m not all used up
They use up the oil, they use up the trees
They use up the air and they use up the seas
But as long as I’m breathin’ they won’t use up me
So don’t tell me I’m all used up!
Written by U. Utah Phillips, ©1980 On Strike Music (BMI)
On Draw The Line – www.peteralsop.com