"Blue Collar Branded" genre: Country General
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	A very visual song about the working man, in memory of Papa.
	MP3.com CD: in retrospect... - buy it! CD: in retrospect... Credits: Lyrics by: Mitch Speed, Music by: Jordan Moore
	Story Behind the Song I began writing this song while working for Papa, my dad, somewhere around 1990. It wasnt until about three years later while working at another job that I finished the lyrics. I brought it over to my friend Jordans house and he wrote the music that night. At the time it seemed to be just another song that I had written, but now in retrospect I can see that it is very autobiographical. The first verse pretty much sums up how I was feeling at that time in my life, while the second verse turned out to be a very graphic picture of Papa. I worked along side Papa for a number of years driving dump trucks and operating tractors. Papa taught me how to operate heavy equipment while at the same time showing me what working was all about. Papas influence on me can be found in the words of this song. Papa passed away just recently at the age of 73. Up until the diagnosis of an inoperable brain tumor, he was still operating a tractor on a semi daily basis. The picture of the belt buckle on this CD is the same buckle that belonged to Papa. When he passed away I had him buried in my buckle and I now wear his. This recording was done at a guys house that we knew, and it is simply my singing and Jordans guitar playing. This song is dedicated to the memory of Papa. Lyrics BLUE COLLAR BRANDED His daddy swung a hammer So he swings a hammer too It didnt take long to figure That he wasnt meant for school Now hes only thirty one But his backs already shot Unpaid bills and callused hands Are the only things hes got Hes blue collar branded, Hes haggard and hes worn Cussin this age, into which he was born Now the cards have all been dealt And he will take what hes been handed But its a hard row to hoe When youre blue collar branded Sittin on a tractor Plenty of time to pine Over all the years hes listened to That damned ol engine whine And while the folks in three piece suits Are rakin in the bucks He will beat himself to death Pushin dirt and loading trucks Hes blue collar branded, Hes haggard and hes worn Cussin this age, into which he was born Now the cards have all been dealt And he will take what hes been handed But its a hard row to hoe When youre blue collar branded Now some are born to upper class While some are born to work this land But the salt of this earth You see he proudly wears, the blue collar brand Hes blue collar branded, Hes haggard and hes worn Cussin this age, into which he was born Now the cards have all been dealt And he will take what hes been handed But its a hard row to hoe When youre blue collar branded ...when youre blue collar branded

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