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Released in 1991

Work - When You Ask a Working Man

Written by Paul McCartney • Carl Davis

Last updated on July 11, 2019

Album This song officially appears on the Liverpool Oratorio Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1991

Master album

Related songs

“When You Ask a Working Man” is the sixth track of the sixth movement – entitled “Work” – of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, released in 1991.

V: WORK. Mary Dee’s office. She runs a hectic business staffed entirely by women. Mary Dee busies among the computers and fax machines, issuing orders as her girls lapse their concentration to fantasize of love. Meanwhile at Shanty’s office – where his rank does not match Mary Dee’s success – he is cajoled by colleagues to work less and play more. As one colleague, Mr. Dingle, tempts Shanty to slip off to the pub, at home Mary Dee indicates that she is pregnant.

“Liverpool Oratorio” liner notes

Lyrics

MEN'S CHORUS

When you ask a working man,

'Does he ever stop?'

Will he make it to the top?

Should he take a break on Sunday?

Work until he drop.

SHANTY

My early days in school required

A lot of concentration

I was finding out.

But now in later years I find

My colleagues here are more inclined

To mess about.

My wife at home

Would surely never understand

If I so much as look at someone else

MEN'S CHORUS

If men had been the faithful sort

It surely would have changed the course

of history.

Don't ask me who the first man was

That dared to take a mistress,

It's a mystery.

Your wife at home

Would surely have to understand

If you were ever seen with someone else.

MR. DINGLE

Oh, no she won't!

MEN'S CHORUS

You wouldn't dare!

SHANTY

Oh, yes I would!

MR, DINGLE

Oh, no you don't!

MEN'S CHORUS

All things matrimonial

Carry with them certain responsibilities.

SHANTY and MR. DINGLE

(Ah)

Carry with them certain responsibilities.

Officially appears on

Live performances

“Work - When You Ask a Working Man” has been played in 2 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Work - When You Ask a Working Man” has been played

Paul McCartney writing

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