[Verse 1: Andy Bell]
Call it new technology
And they use it to burn
And they show no concern
Work for their prosperity
While the big wheels turn
Now it's too late to learn

[Pre-Chorus 1: Andy Bell]
Don't upset the teacher
Though we know he lied to you
Don't upset the preacher
He's gonna close his eyes for you

[Chorus: Andy Bell]
And it's a shame
That you're so afraid
Just a worker waiting in the pouring rain
Putting back the pieces of a broken dream
Putting back the pieces of a broken dream

[Verse 2: Andy Bell]
Father worked in industry
Now the work has moved on
And the factory's gone
See them sell your history
Where once you were strong
And you used to belong
[Pre-Chorus 2: Andy Bell]
There was once a future
For a working man
There was once a lifetime
For a skillful hand
Yesterday

[Chorus: Andy Bell]
And it's a shame
That you're so afraid
Just a worker waiting in the pouring rain
Putting back the pieces of a broken dream
Putting back the pieces of a broken dream

[Pre-Chorus 1: Andy Bell]
Don't upset the teacher
Though we know he lied to you
Don't upset the preacher
He's gonna close his eyes for you

[Chorus: Andy Bell]
And it's a shame
That you're so afraid
Just a worker waiting in the pouring rain
Putting back the pieces of a broken dream
[Verse 3: Andy Bell]
Tempers fray so easily
In desperate despair
Is there anyone who cares?
Just another tragedy
Just a personal affair
In a room somewhere

[Pre-Chorus 2: Andy Bell]
There was once a future
For a working man
There was once a lifetime
For a skillful hand
Yesterday

[Chorus: Andy Bell]
And it's a shame
That you're so afraid
Just a worker waiting in the pouring rain, oh
Putting back the pieces of a broken dream (A broken dream)
Putting back the pieces of a broken dream (A broken dream)
(Putting back) Putting back the pieces of a broken dream