Work Songs

by Matt Johnson

For as long as we've had language, we've had songs for the work we do. Whether it s sea shanties bellowed defiantly against gale-force winds, field songs sung under blistering sun, or industrial folk set to the rhythm of the machines that run, work songs helped our ancestors fight boredom, find meaning, build connections, and survive.

But modern work has no song.

There are no hymns to sing in the offices, factories, fields, shops, and restaurants where we work today. We let the music die, and we did it when we needed it the most. And that's what this book is all about. This is a collection of stories about work that we cannot let die. Stories that could be our songs.

106 pages, Hardcover

First published December 15, 2020

About the author

This is a common name with many authors. Please use the correct spacing when adding a book:

1. Matt^Johnson - unknown/catch-all
2. Matt^^Johnson - Basketball
3. Matt^^^Johnson - ORENDA thriller author
4. Matt^^^^Johnson - drama/fiction
5. Matt^^^^^Johnson - Amazon How To's
6. Matt^^^^^^Johnson - Art/History
7. Matt^^^^^^^Johnson - Christian
8. Matt^^^^^^^^Johnson - Aviation
9. Matt^^^^^^^^^Johnson - Independant fiction
10. Matt^^^^^^^^^^Johnson - Medical

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnson certainly has the gift of storytelling and his latest novel is no exception. He tells stories from history about humans and music and the impact they have had on our society. I smiled fondly at his John Prine quote and had a quality conversation with my father after learning more about Otis Redding. Music, storytelling. They live on because people continue to share. The author leaves the reader with thoughts to ponder long after the story is through.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little book, with a wonderful collection of stories that goes beyond the usual ones and brings in voices that have rarely been heard in the modern workplace. Highly recommended for inspiration and some beautiful reframing of some tired old approaches to the workplace.

[Samuel Loveridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would describe this book as exactly my taste.
Compelling inspiring stories that make you want to be a better version of yourself.
I love this book. It will join my annual reread list.

[Georgetowner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique little book I stumbled upon in a Little Free Library. It is a remarkable collection of vignettes about work stories, some with deep insights on life and how we live it. My favorite vignette is “Your Story Will Expire”, which states in a few paragraphs how to move on when a season of life, and who you are in that season, is coming to an end, better than a whole book I recently read on that topic.

[RL Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book