Sam Gleaves

Ain’t We Brothers – for Sam Williams

Music and lyrics written by Sam Gleaves, September 15, 2011.

I was born here, just the same as you, another time, another day.

I’m sure the good Lord took his time and made each of us just this way.

I walked beside you step by step and it never crossed my mind

That I would grow up one of the different kind.

But that didn’t stop me from chopping the wood,

Scraping my knees like all boys should,

Goin’ down to the creek in the noonday sun,

Wringing out my shirt when the work got done.

Chorus:

First things first, I’m a blue collar man

With scars on my knuckles, dust on my hands.

You probably wouldn’t have ever known

That I’ve got a man waiting on me at home.

To tell you the truth, I don’t want to fight,

I just want to say one thing outright to you

Ain’t we flesh and blood all through,

And ain’t we brothers too?

I took a job and worked right by you, walked down in that hole beside you,

Thought I heard some whisper sound, I got found out, word got around.

I got made out for something I’m not, got called everything but a child of God

They didn’t mind to show it out in the parking lot.

So I cut my coal with my head hung down,

Just like a stranger in my own town.

I got bitter day by day,

Went home every night with the mess they made.

Chorus:

First things first, I’m a blue collar man

With scars on my knuckles, dust on my hands.

You probably wouldn’t have ever known

That I’ve got a man waiting on me at home.

To tell you the truth, I don’t want to fight,

I just want to say one thing outright to you

Ain’t we flesh and blood all through,

And ain’t we brothers too?

Bridge: Tell me I’m not man enough to set foot in that mine

Go on and tell me that once more, to my face this time.

To tell you the truth, I don’t want to fight,

I just want to say one thing outright

Ain’t we flesh and blood all through,

And ain’t we brothers too?