In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
If I was a working boy (hey ho away we go)
Fill my pockets up with lolly (why is my cheque late, sir?)
If I was a working lad (hey ho away we go)
Life would never get this bad (living down the labour)
If I was a working boy I would buy us all a curry
Then we would all enjoy spending a workmans wages
Id be a galiant lad, you could all come round and borrow
All the comforts Id enjoy bringing in a workmans wages
(Hey ho away we go) Up the dole and down the labour
(Hey ho away we go) Once round the equator
(Hey ho away we go) Who finds nowt and who finds favour?
(Hey ho away we go) Why is my cheque late, Sir?
Ive heard the frolicking noise passing by a hangmans folly
If you had then piggies would fly all in a working day
Ive met the hang-a-man, Sir. Everybody roll home jolly
But theres others Id prefer to give me a working day.
(Hey ho away we go) Up the dole and down the labour
(Hey ho away we go) Twice round the equator
(Hey ho away we go) Who finds nowt and who finds favour?
(Hey ho away we go) All for a working day, Sir
I have seen the factory boys, everybody roll home jolly
They make money, they make noise all in a working day
I am bright with razor wits, everybody roll home jolly
Still you leave me in the briny all for a working day, Sir
If I was a working boy I would buy us all a curry
Then we would all enjoy living on a workmans wages
Id be a galiant lad, you could all come round and borrow
All the comforts Id enjoy bringing in a workmans wages
(Hey ho away we go) Up the dole and down the labour
(Hey ho away we go) Thrice round the equator
(Hey ho away we go) Who finds nowt and who finds favour?
(Hey ho away we go) All for a working day, Sir
(Hey ho away we go) Up the dole and down the labour
(Hey ho away we go) Give me a working day, Sir
Fill my pockets up with lolly (why is my cheque late, sir?)
If I was a working lad (hey ho away we go)
Life would never get this bad (living down the labour)
If I was a working boy I would buy us all a curry
Then we would all enjoy spending a workmans wages
Id be a galiant lad, you could all come round and borrow
All the comforts Id enjoy bringing in a workmans wages
(Hey ho away we go) Up the dole and down the labour
(Hey ho away we go) Once round the equator
(Hey ho away we go) Who finds nowt and who finds favour?
(Hey ho away we go) Why is my cheque late, Sir?
Ive heard the frolicking noise passing by a hangmans folly
If you had then piggies would fly all in a working day
Ive met the hang-a-man, Sir. Everybody roll home jolly
But theres others Id prefer to give me a working day.
(Hey ho away we go) Up the dole and down the labour
(Hey ho away we go) Twice round the equator
(Hey ho away we go) Who finds nowt and who finds favour?
(Hey ho away we go) All for a working day, Sir
I have seen the factory boys, everybody roll home jolly
They make money, they make noise all in a working day
I am bright with razor wits, everybody roll home jolly
Still you leave me in the briny all for a working day, Sir
If I was a working boy I would buy us all a curry
Then we would all enjoy living on a workmans wages
Id be a galiant lad, you could all come round and borrow
All the comforts Id enjoy bringing in a workmans wages
(Hey ho away we go) Up the dole and down the labour
(Hey ho away we go) Thrice round the equator
(Hey ho away we go) Who finds nowt and who finds favour?
(Hey ho away we go) All for a working day, Sir
(Hey ho away we go) Up the dole and down the labour
(Hey ho away we go) Give me a working day, Sir
Lyrics submitted by monster36604
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