5. Poverty Knock

Up ev’ry morning at five,

A wonder that we keep alive.

Tired and yawning on the cold morning,

It’s back to the dreary old drive.

Oh dear we’re going to be late.

Gaffer is stood at the gate.

We’re out of pocket,

our wages he’ll dock it,

We’ll have to buy grub on the slate.

And it’s poverty, poverty knock. (stamp, stamp)

My loom is a-saying all day.

Poverty poverty knock. (stamp, stamp)

Gaffer’s too skinny to pay.

Poverty poverty knock. (stamp, stamp)

Keeping one eye on the clock.

I know I can guttle when I hear my shuttle go

Poverty, poverty knock! (stamp, stamp)

Sometimes a shuttle flies out.

And gives some poor woman a clout.

There she lies bleeding, but nobody’s heeding her,

Who’s going to carry her out?

CHORUS (as before)

We’ve got to wet our own yarn.

By dipping it into the tarn.

It’s wet and soggy and makes us feel groggy

And there’s mice in that dirty old barn.

CHORUS (as before)