Some time ago in the city run solely on steam The power plant workers would rise and stick to routine Breakin' their backs 'til their work shirts were dirty and brown As year after year, they'd work for the good of the town
As parts would get old, these men would make the repairs Changing out axles and belts with meticulous care Working their hands to the bone and slaving away They'd press on with diligence and as they strained you could hear them say,
"With our blood, sweat, and tears And the grinding of gears We shall slave to keep our beautiful city alive!
"Yes, with blood, sweat, and tears And the passing of years We'll expend ourselves so our fair people may thrive!"
One afternoon Frederick Worthington clocked into work He went to his station not knowing the danger that lurked He pulled on the lever to start up the massive machine But deep in the workings was something he had not foreseen
The pistons were pumping as pressure began to accrue And suddenly one of the tanks had to give, and it blew Frederick was knocked back into an assortment of gears And there in an instant he came to an end with his GREATEST FEAR!
And with blood, sweat, and tears And the grinding of gears This disaster happened in front of our terrified eyes
Yes, with blood, sweat, and tears In his premature years Frederick met his unfortunate, wholly untimely demise
So with blood, sweat, and tears We must face what we fear And although it's tragic, and everyone's sad that he's gone
With our blood, sweat, and tears We return to our gears This city still needs us to work, so we must carry on
With our blood, sweat, and tears And the grinding of gears We will slave to keep our beautiful city alive!
And with blood, sweat, and tears And the passing of years We'll expend ourselves so our fair people may thrive!