Peonage Blues

[Verse] Down in the valley where the river flows, Them ol' folks talkin' 'bout what everybody knows, Livin' on nickels and a prayer’s all the rage, Welcome to the life of humble peonage. [Verse 2] Uncle Joe's a milkin' with a broken-down machine, He’s dreamin' of a mansion, but he's stuck in between, All the cows are laughin', but he ain't on the stage, Givin' all he's got in sweet ol' peonage. [Chorus] Peonage, peonage, it’s the talk of the town, Peonage, peonage, with a busted ol' plow, Peonage, peonage, can't you see it’s the craze? So grab your boots and join the peonage parade. [Verse 3] Auntie May’s a quiltin' with her fingers in a twist, She’s tellin' all her stories with a flick of the wrist, Every stitch she's sewin' just to manage a wage, She’s livin' the dream in her peonage cage. [Verse 4] Billy and Johnny, they're a-fixin' up the fence, Wranglin' up the chickens, ain't no common sense, They're dreamin' of a kingdom with a golden stage, But all they got is this ol' peonage. [Chorus] Peonage, peonage, it’s the life that we love, Peonage, peonage, with a push and a shove, Peonage, peonage, in the sun or the shade, Live it up, folks, it’s the peonage masquerade.