[Intro: Factory Owners]
In good old Queen Victoria's day
Industrial revolution
Meant bosses said "Please, we need more employees"
We needed a solution
Who will climb our chimneys?
Who will power our grids?
Victorian families so desperately poor
They'll let us employ their kids, for

[Chorus: Children, Factory Owners]
Work, terrible work
From very young ages
Up chimneys to clean
Paid pitiful wages
Work, terrible work
Pins make you work faster
If we grow too big
Get sacked by the master

[Verse 1: Factory Owners, Children]
Now you're all in my employ, cleaning in the factory
We're not very strong
And the hours are long
This work is unsatisfactory
Learn not to get caught in spokes
Or trap our hands in gauges
To stop machines and get you out
Will cost you a week's wages
[Chorus: Children, Factory Owners]
Work, terrible work
There's no health or safety
So if we get hurt
They will just replace me
Work, terrible work
Sorry

[Verse 2: Child]
Now that I am short of cash
I have to pick pockets
Wallets from gentlemen
And ladies' lockets
Small enough to get away
Hardly ever caught
And if we are, we're kids, you see
To cry is what we're taught
Boo-hoo

[Chorus: Children, Factory Owners]
Work, terrible work
Dangerous and demeaning
No time to complain
Get back to your cleaning
Work, terrible work
Guess what we are dreaming?
School, glorious school
Wonderful school, marvellous school
Wish we went to school