Behold Mr. Packer of Packingtown
A person of wealth and leisure,
He is well taught and better dressed
And looks like a gentleman like the rest
As he travels for health and pleasure.

Suppose you meet him—he offers his hand
As clean as fine soap can make it,
Offers it affably, understand—
With profit and honor at his command;
But consider, before you take it!

Look at the hand and remember the deeds
It performs as the Packer pleases,
Set to serve great public needs
And poisoning us for his private greeds
With chemicals, dirt and diseases;

A skilful hand to escape the law,
A strong hand able to break it;
So cruel a hand as you ever saw,
Filling the poor blind public maw
With tuberculosis and lumpy jaw,
Trichina and ptomaines, a carrion claw!
Would you really be willing to shake it!