Dish Pit Diploma

Lyrics

Sixteen years old with a rubber apron on
Dish pit at the back till the break of dawn
Steam in my face, grease up to my wrist
Chef yelling orders, I'm not gonna miss
Plates stacked high like a skyline view
Learning that the work is the work, it's true
Seven-fifty an hour, I thought I was rich
Handed me a towel and a quick little pitch

Nobody clapped, but I felt it still
Every clean plate was a climbing hill

Dish pit diploma, hang it on the wall
Taught me how to show up, taught me how to stand tall
Dish pit diploma, hands pruned and sore
Every honest hour opened up a door
I wash it clean, I wash it clean
Best school I ever seen
Dish pit diploma, framed in steam
Dish pit diploma, framed in steam

Old cook named Walt, he'd hum while he worked
Showed me a trick, said never shirk
Taught me that the quiet ones see it all
Taught me to catch a plate before it falls
Staff meal at midnight, rice and beans
Laughing with the crew in our kitchen scenes
Walked home tired but my pockets had weight
Not just money, but a sense of my fate

Nobody clapped, but I felt it still
Every clean plate was a climbing hill

Dish pit diploma, hang it on the wall
Taught me how to show up, taught me how to stand tall
Dish pit diploma, hands pruned and sore
Every honest hour opened up a door
I wash it clean, I wash it clean
Best school I ever seen
Dish pit diploma, framed in steam
Dish pit diploma, framed in steam

Now when I tip, I tip a little more
I know the sound of the back-room floor
Say thank you to the hands you don't see
That's the whole lesson, that's the key

Dish pit diploma, hang it on the wall
Taught me how to show up, taught me how to stand tall
Dish pit diploma, hands pruned and sore
Every honest hour opened up a door
I wash it clean, I wash it clean
Best school I ever seen
Dish pit diploma, framed in steam
Dish pit diploma, framed in steam

Thanks, Walt. Thanks, Chef.
Still got the towel, still got the rest