* Listen to the following song, “40-Hour Week,” sung by the Alabama Band. Learn to sing it.

40-Hour Week

There are people in this country who work hard every day Not for fame or fortune do they strive

But the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay. And it's time a few of them were recognized

Hello Detroit (底特律) auto worker, let me thank you for your time

You work a 40-hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line

Hello Pittsburgh(匹兹堡) steel mill (钢厂) worker, let me thank you for your time

You work a 40-hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line

This is for the one who swings (抡起) the hammer, driving home (把…完全敲入) the nail

For the one behind the counter, ringing up the sales

For the one who fights the fires, the one who brings the mail

For everyone who works behind the scenes

You can see them every morning in the factories and the fields

In the city streets and the quiet country towns

Working together like spokes inside a wheel

They keep this country turning around

Hello Kansas (堪萨斯) wheat field farmer, let me thank you for your time

You work a 40-hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line

Hello West Virginia (西弗吉尼亚) coal miner, let me thank you for your time 

You work a 40-hour week for a livin', just to send it on down the line

This is for the one who drives thebig rig (牵引式挂车) ,  up and down the road

For the one out in the warehouse (仓库) ,bringing in  the load

For the waitress, the mechanic (机修工) , the policeman on patrol (巡逻) 

For everyone who works behind the scenes

With a spirit you can’t replace with no machine

Hello America let me thank you for your time

 

1) 40-Hour Week: Generally people work 8 hours a day,  40 hours a week.

2) Not for  fame or fortune do they strive: 倒装句，正常语序应为：They do not strive for fame or fortune. 他们努力工作，不为名利。

3) to send it on down the line: to pass it on to other people 传给其他人

4) like spokes inside a wheel: 像轮子当中的辐条