[Verse 1] The worker walks through factory doors at dawn Clock in, clock out, the cycle carries on They make the goods but don't own what they create The surplus flows to those who own the gate Eight hours worked but only four to pay The bills and rent to live another day The other four, that's where the magic lies That's where the surplus value multiplies [Chorus] Surplus extraction, that's the game they play Taking more than what they have to pay Absolute or relative, both roads lead the same Productivity rises but the workers don't gain Read it structural, not moral, see the system's design Surplus extraction working all the time [Verse 2] Absolute surplus means the day grows long More hours worked while wages stay the same song But there's a limit to how far they'll push Before the workers organize and bush back Relative surplus, that's the smarter way New machines make workers more productive each day Same wages paid for greater output made The surplus grows while competition's played [Chorus] Surplus extraction, that's the game they play Taking more than what they have to pay Absolute or relative, both roads lead the same Productivity rises but the workers don't gain Read it structural, not moral, see the system's design Surplus extraction working all the time [Bridge] Technology advances, productivity soars But who really benefits when profit pours? Not a question of greed or evil intent It's how the system's structurally bent Capital needs to grow or it will die So surplus value is the reason why [Verse 3] Don't call the owners villains in this tale It's not about morality or who will fail The structure forces this extraction game Whether good or bad, the result's the same Competition drives them to innovate While workers' relative position can't escape Understanding this is how we truly see The mechanics of capitalist economy [Chorus] Surplus extraction, that's the game they play Taking more than what they have to pay Absolute or relative, both roads lead the same Productivity rises but the workers don't gain Read it structural, not moral, see the system's design Surplus extraction working all the time [Outro] Value created, surplus taken That's the foundation Marx was making Structural analysis shows us why The gap between the classes stays so high
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