I remember my grandmother sat with her radio,
Tea cup and walking stick set by her side.
As her old fingers reached out to turn up the volume,
I learnt what it meant to be bursting with pride.

She told me some tales of wars great and last,
Black and white film stars sha'd liked in the past.
Taught me a few songs she'd learnt as a child,
Stunned by her wisdom I listened and smiled.

She said to me "Lad, if you'll be a musican,
Go out and be one - but one with conviction.
If there's just one lesson the young ought to learn,
It's pay no deposit and get no return."
Get no return.
Pay no deposit and get no return.

On time faded photographs I've seen an airman,
Stood next to the wings of a flying machine
And given the choice well I think I would rather
Have done what I've done than have seen what he's seen.

I think that the Old Man feels really quite proud,
When he sits at the wheel and turns it up loud,
But imagined his son a lawyer or broker,
Not sat on a bus full of drinkers and tokers.

He said to me "Son you can do as you please,
But always stand stright - never crawl on your knees.
If there's just one lesson the young ought to learn,
It's pay no deposit and get no return."

If there's just one lesson the young ought to learn,
It's pay no deposit and get no return.
Get no return.
Pay no deposit and get no return.

I've such a short time to tell you so much,
Words come second best to a kiss or a touch.
Far thicker than water this blood we all share,
So please don't think that for you I don't care.

Fate may have driven us all separate ways,
But can't sever ancestry - splice D. N. A.
If life seems a road that's uneven and long,
To know where you're going just look Who you came from.

Many have said I take after my mother,
For her '67 was not a good year.
Though often I make her annoyed like no other,
Through thick and through thin she has always been near.

Sometimes in the cold now I catch myself smiling,
'Bout some stupid joke or a christmas tree shining.
I stood there so small 'neath that glittering tower,
It's memory a beacon in my darkest hour.

She said to me "Martin, whatever you'll be,
There's no such thing as a meal that's for free.
If there's just one lesson the young ought to learn,
It's pay no deposit and get no return."

If there's just one lesson the young ought to learn,
It's pay no deposit and get no return.
Get no return.
Pay no deposit and get no return.


Lyrics submitted by Seven

No Deposit, No Return Lyrics as written by Stephen Ramsey Martin Walkyier

Lyrics © CONEXION MEDIA GROUP, INC., Royalty Network

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

No Deposit, No Return song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

0 Comments

sort form View by:
  • No Comments

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Album art
No Surprises
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Album art
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.