EE WHEN I WERE A LAD


      (Ch:)   A                      E
      Ee when I were a lad, well the times they were bad,
                                      A
      But not quite as bad as when me Dad were a lad,
                                              D
      For when me Dad were a lad, things were nearly as bad
         E                        A
      As when me Dad's Dad were a lad!


              A
      Oh, how often we say that the kids of today
           E                             A
      They just don't know what hardship is.

      Now when I were a lad that's what I got from me Dad,
               E
      And I'll bet that's what he got from his,
          A
      For in me Dad's day they were all on low pay,
          E                      A
      His mother had nowt in her purse,

      And when she were a lass there was even less brass
          E                          A
      And things were a bloody sight worse!

      Ch

      In the days long gone by all the Summers were dry;
      The kids ran around in bare feet,
      And the Sun got so hot all your cares were forgot,
      And it melted the tar in the street,
      Yet the Sun got so strong, and the Summers so long
      For twelve months that were all that we had,
      But what's more I'll say you are lucky today
      'Cause by heck the Winters were bad!

      Ch

      Now when I were quite small, we had no fears at all,
      You could walk 'round the streets late at night.
      If you met someone else, all alone like yourself,
      You'd smile and then wish them "Goodnight".
      It's not safe any more: if you step through the door
      Then someone will kick in your brains.
      When we were young we had flair and we always fought fair
      With flick-knives and bicycle chains.

      Ch

      When me Granddad were born, longer dresses were worn,
      A girl had to cover her skin,
      And an ankle or more no man ever saw
      'Cept the Butler when his luck were in.
      Now bare chests are on view to me and to you
      Every year when you walk down the beach.
      In the warm open air there's young girls everywhere
      Showing parts even Lager can't reach!