[Verse 1] When the twentieth century dawned so bright Factory floors were chaos, no system in sight Then Frederick Taylor stepped into the fray With stopwatch in hand, he'd time every day Scientific management was his call Measure each motion, standardize it all [Chorus] Three forces forged the personnel game Taylor's stopwatch, war's urgent claim Welfare secretaries with benefits to share The roots of HR were planted there Systematic, strategic, here to stay Personnel departments found their way [Verse 2] Nineteen-fourteen brought the Great War's demand Millions of workers shipped off from the land Factories scrambled for replacement hands Recruiting and training needed structured plans War Department classified every role When peace returned, business adopted the goal [Chorus] Three forces forged the personnel game Taylor's stopwatch, war's urgent claim Welfare secretaries with benefits to share The roots of HR were planted there Systematic, strategic, here to stay Personnel departments found their way [Bridge] Cadbury and Rowntree, progressive and wise National Cash Register opened their eyes Ford Motor Company joined the parade Healthcare and housing, the benefits they paid Welfare capitalism fought union appeal Women administrators made programs real [Verse 3] The welfare secretary, guardian of care Housing and profit-sharing programs to bear Always a woman in this vital position Direct ancestor to HR's modern mission From time study clerks to benefit queens Personnel emerged from industrial scenes [Chorus] Three forces forged the personnel game Taylor's stopwatch, war's urgent claim Welfare secretaries with benefits to share The roots of HR were planted there Systematic, strategic, here to stay Personnel departments found their way [Outro] From chaos to order, the foundation was laid Personnel departments, the cornerstone made
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