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Bruce Springsteen The Essential Bruce Springsteen front cover
Track

The Big Payback

Label
Columbia Records
Release Date
11 November 2003
Lyrics

I bought a scooter and I rented a shack
Out in the sun, by the railroad track
I got a job and I’m a-breakin’ my back
Workin’ and workin’ for the big payback

I keep a puttin’ and a puttin’ out
I keep a sweatin’ like all get out
I work so long that i”m a losin’ track
Waitin’, waitin’ on the big payback

Well, it’s a wham, bam, thank you ma’am, god damn, look out Sam
It’s a gone dead train rumblin’ down this track
They got your neck in the noose, you’re draggin’ long in back
Chasin’ and chasin’ the big payback

Oh what my foreman does well I don’t know
He just throws me a shovel and yells “Go, Bobby, Go”
Oh well – a all day long he’s just a diddy wack wack
While I’m sweatin’ and sweatin’ the big payback

Well, it’s a wham, bam, thank you ma’am, god damn, look out Sam
It’s a gone dead train rumblin’ down this track
They got your neck in the noose, you’re hands are tied up in back
Chasin’ and chasin’ the big payback

I quit that job, and Mister I ain’t goin’ back
Got me a knife and she’s a long and black
I’ll tell you how I make my piece at night Mac
Down in the alley of the big payback

I go a wham, bam, thank you ma’am, god damn, c’mon man
You’re a gone dead train rumblin’ down this track
I got your neck in the noose and I don’t give a damn, Jack
I’m on that long lost highway of the big payback
I’m on that long lost highway of the big payback
I’m on that long lost highway of the big payback