On The Dole
(Frank Hennessy / Claire Worsfold) 
Chorus:
On the dole, on the dole
It can break a man, destroy him heart and soul
No sweets for my sweet children and no flowers for my wife
At twenty-five it seems that I'll be on the dole for life
On the dole, on the dole

I wander through the streets, through all the factories and stores
Asking, Can I make the tea, boys, or can I sweep the floor
I'll do anything you ask, boys, and let the devil take my soul
Just to say I have a job, boys, and not, I'm on the dole

But life can be so cruel, for everywhere I went
They said, There's nothing for you here, lad, your time has been badly spent
We're laying people off, son, for we cannot pay the rent
So back I go for handouts from the good old government

The giro comes on Wednesdays and it don't go very far
We're owing six months' mortgage and we've had to sell the car
I'm losing all my self-respect, a man without his pride
And nothing seems to ease the bitterness I feel inside