Working Class Man

This song as performed by Jimmy Barnes has had a lot of airplay on Planet Rock recently. I must admit that when I first heard it, I assumed it was a Bruce Springsteen track, as it has all his clever blue collar America hallmarks to it.

Is this a way of life that is disappearing from the western world rapidly? Certainly jobs in the pits, docks, steel mills, and car plants have all but vanished both in the U.S. and here. Are the work ethics of the true working class disappearing, I hope not. Ok there are some generalisations here, as hard drinking and smoking do not have a place in my world, but the desire to provide for your family, the forming of close friendships, and a sense of pride in your country, are all worthy ambitions to have. In a time of world economic downturn, it is easy to forget the blue collar man who provided so much for the rest of us.

As Christians we should be aware of any need around us. I appreciate that there is not much on the face of it that as individuals we can do, but the power of prayer is not to be under estimated. Prayer is sometimes looked upon scornfully as meaningless by the world at large, but I believe that God will listen to our cries, and comfort those in need.


Working hard to make a living
Bringing shelter from the rain
A father's son left to carry on
Blue denim in his vein

Oh he's a working class man

Well he's a steel town disciple
He's a legend of his kind
He's running like a cyclone
Across the wild mid western sky

Oh he's a working class man

He believes in God and Elvis
He gets out when he can
He did his time in Vietnam
Still mad at Uncle Sam
he's a simple man
With a heart of gold
In a complicated land

Oh he's a working class man

Well he loves a little woman
Someday he'll make his wife
Saving all the overtime
For the one love of his life
He ain't worried about tomorrow
Cos he just made up his mind
Life's too short for burning bridges
Take it one day at a time

Oh he's a working class man


The clip below was recorded in 1988. I know he's a Scot by birth and an Aussie by nationality, but links in with all blue collar sentiments.