Work, Terrible Work Lyrics - Horrible Histories

In good old Queen Victoria's day 

Industrial revolution 

Bosses said 'Please, we need more employees' 

We needed a solution 

Who will climb our chimneys? 

Who will power our grids? 

Victorian families to desperately poor 

They'll let us employ their kids for 

Work, terible work 

From very young ages 

Up chimneys to clean 

Paid pitiful wages 

Work, terrible work 

Pins make you work faster 

If we grow too big 

Get sacked by the master! 

Now you're all in my employ 

Cleaning in the factory 

We're not very strong 

And the hours are long 

This work is unsatisfactory! 

There not to get caught in spokes 

Or trap our hands in gages 

To stop machines and get you out 

Will cost you a week's wages! 

Work, terrible work 

There's no health and safety 

So if we get hurt 

They will just replace me 

Work, terrible work 

Now that I am short of cash 

I have to pick pockets 

Wallets from gentlemen 

And lady's lockets 

Small enough to get away 

Hardly ever caught 

And if we are, we're kids you see 

To cry is what we're taught 

Work, terrible work 

Dangerous and demeaning 

No time to complain 

Get back to your cleaning 

Work, terrible work 

Guess what we are dreaming 

School, glorious school! 

Wonderful school! 

Marvellous school! 

Wish we went to school!