Here are some songs to go with all that grilled meat and beer you will be patriotically consuming on Labor Day. These are my favorite paeans to the American working class: from the construction workers to the cubicle drones. You know, those of us who put in long hours for low pay while the proverbial boss man gets rich.

“Big Boss Man,” Jimmy Reed

Quotable: “Oh, you ain’t so big, you’re just tall, that’s all.”

“Maggie’s Farm,” Bob Dylan

Quotable: “I wake in the morning, fold my hands and pray for rain.”

“9 to 5,” Dolly Parton

Quotable: “You’re just a step on the boss man’s ladder.”

“Welcome to the Working Week,” Elvis Costello

Quotable: “I know it don’t thrill you, I hope it don’t kill you.”

“Take This Job and Shove It,” David Allan Coe

Quotable: “You better not try and stand in my way because I’m walking out the door.”

“Shove This Jay Oh Bee,” Canibus with Biz Markie

Quotable: “Yo, if your boss is a S-O-B tell him to S-H-O-V-E the J-O-B.”

“Working Man Blues,” Merle Haggard

Quotable: “I’ll be working as long as my two hands are fit to use.”

“Workin’ for a Livin’,” Huey Lewis

Quotable: “I’ll be working here forever, at least until I die.”

“She Works Hard for the Money,” Donna Summer

Quotable: “It’s a sacrifice working day to day for little money, just tips for pay.”

“Working Class Hero,” John Lennon

Quotable: “They hate you if you’re clever and they despise a fool.”

Wade Tatangelo, features writer/columnist, can be reached at (941) 745-7057. Visit his blog at heraldbuzzworthy.blogspot.com.