Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jerry Garcia
The version in the second edition of the Hunter lyric book is as follows (see below for the Dead's version):
Maybe you collect or maybe you payThe Dead's versions vary. This is the 1983 version from DP6:
Still got to work that eight hour day
Whether you like that job or not
Keep it on ice while you're lining up your long shot (note 1)
Which is to say, hey-ey
Chorus
Keep your day job
Don't give it away
Keep your day job
Whatever they say
Ring that bell for whatever it's worth
When Monday comes, don't forget about work
By now you know that face on your dollar
Got a thumb to its nose and a hand on your collar
Which is to say, hey-ey
[chorus]
Punch that time card, check that clock
But when Monday comes gotta run, run, run - not walk
[chorus]
Steady boy, study that eight day hour
But don't underrate that pay-check power
If you ask me, which I know you don't
I'd tell you to do what I know you won't
Which is to say, hey-ey
[chorus]
Daddy may drive a V-8 'vet (note 6)
Mama may bathe in champagne yet
God bless the child with his own stash
Nine to five and a place to crash
[chorus]
Keep your day job, until your night job pays
Maybe you collect or maybe you payThis is the 1985 version from DP21:
Still got to work that eight hour day
Whether you like that job or not
You'd better keep it on ice while you're lining up your long shot
Which is to say, hey hey
Chorus (note 2)
Keep your day job
Don't give it away
Keep your day job
Whatever they say
Keep your day job
Till your night job pays
[Ring that bell for whatever it's worth] (note 3)
Sunday comes forget about work
By now you know that the face on your dollar
Got a thumb on its nose and a hand on your collar
Which is to say, hey hey
[chorus]
Sunday comes forget about work
Ring that bell for whatever it's worth
If you ask me like I know you won't
I'll tell you what to do what I know that you won't
Which is to say, hey hey
[chorus]
[chorus]
[chorus]
Maybe you collect or maybe you pay (note 4)Notes
Still got to work that eight hour day
Whether you like that job or not
You'd better keep it on ice while you're lining up your long shot
Which is to say, hey hey
Chorus
Keep your day job
Whatever they say
Keep your day job
Don't give it away
Keep your day job
Till your night job pays
Steady boys study that eight day hour
Never underrate that paycheck power
By now you know that the face on your dollar
Got a thumb to its nose and a hand on your collar
Which is to say, hey hey
[chorus]
Daddy may drive a V-8 'vet (note 5)
Mama may bathe in champagne yet
God bless the child that's got his own stash
Nine to five and a place to crash
Which is to say, hey hey
[chorus]
[chorus]
[chorus]
Grateful Dead Recordings | |||||
Date | Album | ||||
20 Sep 1982 | In And Out Of The Garden | ||||
11 Oct 1983 | In And Out Of The Garden | ||||
14 Oct 1983 | Dick's Picks Vol 6 | ||||
20 Apr 1984 | Dave's Picks Volume 35 | ||||
27 Apr 1985 | Dave's Picks Vol 49 | ||||
1 Nov 1985 | Dick's Picks Vol 21 |