Straight out of school, into the factory
Build a home, support your family
Just like your dad did before
Early shifts, working overtime
Cash in hand at the assembly line
Movin' up, but so little around
& Your sacred ground, sacred ground
Your frustration, my way out
Your sacred ground, sacred ground
Lifted the future while it anchored you down
One for all, all for the company
Was just a one-way solidarity
When you needed it most
No politician & no union man
Knew how to lead this money dance
As they turned you into the unemployment line
& Your sacred ground, sacred ground
Your depression, my safe cloud
Your sacred ground, sacred ground
Built the new world while it broke you down
Between the first punch in, the last kick out
I became a man. As they left diggin' for gold
All those dreams you held so close
Slipped out of your hands
When they shut down, oh they shut down
Your sacred ground, sacred ground
All is quiet since they left town
Your sacred ground, sacred ground
But don't let those bastards
Don't let those bastards grind you down