"Working Class Hero" Lyrics

by John Lennon

Original Manuscript (1970)

(1) as soon as your [sic] born they make you feel small
by giving you no time instead of it all
till the pain so big you feel nothing at all
working class etc.

(2) they hurt you at home and they hit you at school
they hate you if your [sic] clever and they despise a fool
til your [sic] so fuckin' crazy you can't follow their rules
working class etc.

(3) Keep you doped with religion and sex and t.v.
and you think your [sic] all clever and classless and free
but your [sic] still fucking peasants as far as I can see
working class etc.

(4) When they've tortured and scared you for 20 odd years
then they expect you to pick a career
when you can't really function your [sic] so full of fear

(5) there's room at the top they are telling you still
but first you must lean how to smile as you kill
if you want to be like the folks on the hill
a working class hero is something to be
yes " " " " " " " "
if you want to be a hero well just follow me
" " " " " " " " " " "

As Released by John Lennon (1970)

As soon as you're born they make you feel small
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and classless and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

There's room at the top they are telling you still
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
If you want to be like the folks on the hill
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

If you want to be a hero well just follow me
If you want to be a hero well just follow me