By Mary Ann Barrows Wark, “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”

I’ve been working on these buildings;

Pharaoh doesn’t pay.

I’ve been doing what he tells me

Like making bricks from clay.

Can’t you hear the master calling,

“Hurry up, make a brick!”

Can’t you feel the master hurt me

Until I’m feeling sick.

Oh is this a mess,

Oh is this a mess,

Oh is this a mess, for Jews, for Jews.

Oh is this a mess,

Oh is this a mess,

Oh is this a mess for Jews.

Someone’s in the palace with Pharaoh –

Someone’s in the palace we know, ow, ow, ow,

Someone’s in the palace with Pharaoh –

Does he know they treat us so?

Keep singing work, work, work all day,

Work all day and then some mo –ore,

Work, work, work all day –

Does he know they treat us so?


haggadah Section: Songs