LABOUR OF LOVE^©

Lying here beside you
On this wonderful night
If I had but just one wish
I'd hold back the morning light
And I thank my lucky stars
For a night like this
We were bound to be together babe
I felt it all in your first kiss

It's a labour of love
I'm doin' it because I want to baby
It's a labour of love
I can feel it when you touch me baby
It's like a precious gift
Sent from up above
This labour of love
Labour of love

Now if I were a rich man
If I were a king
If I could have anything I want
I would take you for my queen
Now good things don't come easy
Sometimes there's hell to pay
If I had to do it all again
I would never change a single thing

It's a labour of love
I'm doin' it because I want to baby
It's a labour of love
I can feel it when you touch me baby
It's like a precious gift
Sent from up above
This labour of love
This labour of love

And I thank my lucky stars
For a night like this
We were bound to be together baby
I felt it all in your first kiss

It's a labour of love
I'm doin' it because I want to baby
It's a labour of love
I can feel it when you touch me baby
It's like a precious gift
Sent from up above
This labour of love
It's a labour of love

It's a labour of love
It's a labour of love
It's the power of
It's the glory of
It's a labour of love
A labour of love

It's the power of
It's the glory of
It's a labour of love
A labour of love

It's the power of
It's the glory of
It's a labour of love
A labour of love

It's the power of
It's the glory of
It's a labour of love
A labour of love

Written by Joe Grushecky, originally by Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, from their 1995 album American Babylon. Bruce Springsteen produced this album and participated in its recording. He played guitar and mandolin on this particular track.

A solo acoustic demo recorded in 1994 at Frank Sorianoís Bunker, Pittsburg, PA, was released on Outtakes And Demos 1975-2003. From Joe Grushecky's liner notes on the album's booklet:

It was a beautiful spring day, and my family was rushing out the door, leaving me with a pile of dirty dishes to contend with. "Why do I have to do the dishes?" I whined. "Think of it as a labour of love" answered Lee Ann. A half hour later, the dishes were still there, and I had a new song.

Bruce Springsteen has played this song 8 times live, all off-tour in small clubs in 1995 and 1998, always with Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers:

• 22 Jul 1995 at the Tradewinds, Seabright, NJ
• 17 Oct 1995 at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ
• 18 Oct 1995 at The Tramps, New York City, NY
• 19 Oct 1995 at The Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA
• 20 Oct 1995 at Nick's Fat City, Pittsburgh, PA
• 21 Oct 1995 at Nick's Fat City, Pittsburgh, PA
• 24 Oct 1995 at Park West, Chicago, IL
• 02 Mar 1998 at Nick's Fat City, Pittsburgh, PA

Thanks Timmy Petersson (Terry at Greasy Lake) for the help on this one.