Up at eight, you can't be late
For Matthew and Son, he won't wait
Watch them run down to platform one
And the eight-thirty train to Matthew and Son
Matthew and Son, the work's never done
There's always something new
The files in your head, you take them to bed
You're never ever through
And they've been working all day, all day, all day
There's a five minute break and that's all you take
For a cup of cold coffee and a piece of cake
Matthew and Son, the work's never done
There's always something new
The files in your head, you take them to bed
You're never ever through
And they've been working all day, all day, all day
He's got people who've been working for fifty years
No one asks for more money 'cause nobody cares
Even though they're pretty low and their rent's in arrears
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
And they've been working all day, all day, all day!
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
For Matthew and Son, he won't wait
Watch them run down to platform one
And the eight-thirty train to Matthew and Son
Matthew and Son, the work's never done
There's always something new
The files in your head, you take them to bed
You're never ever through
And they've been working all day, all day, all day
There's a five minute break and that's all you take
For a cup of cold coffee and a piece of cake
Matthew and Son, the work's never done
There's always something new
The files in your head, you take them to bed
You're never ever through
And they've been working all day, all day, all day
He's got people who've been working for fifty years
No one asks for more money 'cause nobody cares
Even though they're pretty low and their rent's in arrears
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
And they've been working all day, all day, all day!
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
Matthew and Son, Matthew and Son
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When Cat Stevens sings about "Matthew and Son" I assume he is talking about the stereotype of these companies.
I believe this verse sums up the meaning of the song,
"He's got people who've been working for fifty years
No one asks for more money 'cause nobody dares
Even though they're pretty low and the rent's in arrears"
This is where entire families would work for the same company on a minimum wage with the fear of being fired if they were to ask for more. These scenarios were quite common in England in the 19th century. Only when labour governments became prominent did these conditions change
Apart from the obvious, I have no clue as to what the writer meant.
On the other hand, my Mum thinks Matthew and Son are oddjob men (?).
Still open to debate, I think!