Posted by Tiger They say were all born for a purpose,
on April 9, 2004, 4:26 pm, in reply to "Lyrics please"
Actually learned from my father-in-law, Bill Garneau, but I have the BGR recording (he wrote it, BTW). This version, more complete than either, is from a ragged old songbook.
Written by Edward Leroy Freeman and James J. Mullan
ELF, a/k/a "Blue Grass Roy"
Copyright 1929, Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc., New York
They say were all born with a gift.
Now some people rise to be famous,
I suppose its by hard work and thrift.
Theres lots of us fighting and striving
For a seat in the White House, you see,
But Ive got a seat in me trousers,
And the Missus to work for me:CHORUS 1
Now give me a nail and a hammer,
I dont work for a living,
I get along all right without.
I dont toil all day,
I suppose it because Im not built that way
Some people work for love
And say its all sunshine and gain,
But if I cant get sunshine without any work,
I think Ill stay out in the rain.
And a picture to hang on the wall,
And give me a strong stepladder,
You know that I might fall.
And give me a couple of waiters,
And a barrel of good old Bass Ale,
And I bet you Ill hang up that picture
If somebody drives a nail:CHORUS 1
Ive got a pal I think the world of
We never agree, this is why
He says hes the laziest person
That he is more lazy than I
So we made a bet to decide it
I won without trying, you see
When he reached for the dough, I just whispered
Put the bet in my pocket for me.CHORUS 2
Now I havent got a red penny
I dont work for a living,
I get along all right without.
I live peacefully,
For labor disputes never worry me
I love my family,
And even my mother-in-law
I decided to make them all happy, thats why
I never go home any more.
The reason is Im always broke
Of pawn tickets I havent any
My wifes wash is all thats in soak
But I get my three square meals daily
And a place to sleep when it gets dark
If I cant find a bed in the alley
Then Ill find me a bench in the park.CHORUS 3
I dont work for a living,
I get along all right without.
Works not meant for me,
Why, even the thought hurts my dignity
My wife does all the work,
She even puts out the ash-can
But last night I got sore when the neighbors all yelled
Why dont you put out your old man?
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