friends I have a problem that Id like to address
and it may be peculiarly mine
in these days of unemployment I am forced to confess
yours trulys working overtime
my phone is ringing madly
they all want me oh so badly
theres only one hitch I can see
oh no! its a benefit, not another benefit
and when are they gonna benefit me

Ive played for day care, pro-choice, Greenpeace, world peace
labour causes, unfair laws and Latin American solidarity
Ive stopped Spadina*, failed to stop the Cruise, Ive saved
the whales and wolves
Ive tried to save the NDP**
now aint it kinda funny
how were always raising money
for the things in life that ought to be free
oh no! its a benefit, not another benefit
and when are they gonna benefit me

the phone rings and a voice says hi we havent met, in fact
I must admit Ive never heard of you at all
but someone at a meeting said her sister said her lover said
we really ought to give you a call
our situations critical
she says youre quite political
and feminist and always play for free
oh no! its a benefit, not another benefit
and when are they gonna benefit me

and when the bankers finally get me
cause I havent paid my debts be
sure youre ready to call up Nancy White for me
and shell say
oh no its a benefit, not another benefit
and when are they gonna benefit me (3)

* an expressway planned for downtown Toronto

** The NDP is sort-of left wing Canadian political party
that usually vote for and rarely gets elected