Rib Lyrics - Jeannie C. Riley

I keep the books at the country courthouse 

And answer phones of every kind from coast to coast 

Help keep the astronauts in space with complicated formules 

And give you echoes of my voice in song 

I wash your dishes iron your shirts and give you children 

And never mind a bit except when you forget 

That I am flash of your flash and bone of your bone 

And that Adam called me woman for I am the rib 

And not a footbone to be stepted on not a legbone to be walked on 

Not a hipbone to be sat on not a backbone to be leaned on 

Not a shoulderbone to be cried on not a headbone to be relied on 

But a ribbone to be side by side hand in hand not lesser then 

Not greater then but just what heaven planned 

Yes you see I am the rib 

Many fields have I bought and with my own hands have I planted winyards 

With the fruits of my labors I have reached out to the prove 

Before the light of day I have risen to feed my household 

And my husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land 

My pride is far above rubies but for love trust and respect 

Will I gladly share my gifts and willingly will I walk for good but not for evil 

As long as he remembers that I am the rib 

And not a footbone... 

For I am the rib