The Office Johnny

The OFFICE JOHNNY

“Don’t look down at us mate, ‘cos we’re as good as you,

We’re the ones who make your wages, me an’ the rest of the crew.

Don’t think you’re better than us, ‘cos you sit in an office chair,

As for your position in the company, well none of us bloody care.

We’re the ones who choke in the dust, the ones who fight the flood,

We’re the ones to get our hands dirty; the ones who get covered in blood.

I’ve nothing against pencil pushers, especially if that’s what they do best,

Take a look at the blokes around ya; every one’s been put to the test.

And that smirk on your face tells me you think I’m being funny,

Just remember what I said sport; we earn your bloody money.

And when you shook me hand you couldn’t look me in the eye,

Does meeting to a manual labourer make you want to cry?

As for your handshake, I’ve met girls with a better grip than you,

Best watch your step mate, there’s fellas here who don’t mind a blue.

And if I might make a suggestion, take that sneer off your face,

The cattle yards our office; and you look outa place.

We might have to get our hands dirty; we might lose a bit of sweat,

Treat us with respect bloke or there’s no telling what you’ll get.

You look a little fragile bloke; we wouldn’t want you hurt;

So don’t look at us fellas as though we’re a grain of dirt.

Perhaps you’d best return to your office and the comfort you have there;

After all we don’t want you choking from the dust in the air.

No don’t look down at me mate ‘cos I might consider you unfit,

To shake the hand of a working man whose clothes are covered in shit.”

© Corin Linch 21/5/04 - Truck(Rewrite-24/1/07)

When you work on properties owned by big companies occasionally members of the office staff come visiting to see what goes on. Most of these blokes are okay but every now and again you get the bloke who just has that look on his face, many of you will know the look I’m talking about. These fellas forget it’s us blokes who are making the money that pays there wages this poem is for them, the wankers.