goldwatch blues

i went up for my interview on the fourth day of july

personnel man he questioned me until i nearly cried

made me fill in forms

until i shook with fear

about the colour of my toilet roll and if my cousin's queer

he asked me how many jobs i had before

he nearly had a heart attack when i answered: four

four jobs in twenty years

oh this could never be

we only take on men

who'll work until they die

he said here's you goldwatch and the shackles for your chain

and your piece of paper to say you left here sane

if you have a son

who wants as good career

just get him to sign on the dotted line and work for fifty years

he took me outside to where the gravestones stand in line

this is where we bury them in quick stones and in line

if you come to work for us

on this you must agree

that if you're going to die

please do it during tea break

he said here's you goldwatch and the shackles for your chain

and your piece of paper to say you left here sane

if you have a son

who wants as good career

just get him to sign on the dotted line and work for fifty years

this story that you've heard

you may think rather queer

but it is the truth

you'll be surprised to hear

i did not want no job upon the board

i just wanted to take the brooms

and sweep the bloody floor

he said here's you goldwatch and the shackles for your chain

and your piece of paper to say you left here sane

if you have a son

who wants as good career

just get him to sign on the dotted line and work for fifty years