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Men of Constant Sorrow

from A Carousel for Fools by The Mather Robinson Band

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about

Either you believe that politicians mean well but screw-up regularly, or else that they are intent on maintaining the status quo – which means keeping the masses in their place so their small circle of mates can continue to prosper. Cock-up or conspiracy? Either way, this song records the lives of three different people who we know (or knew) and how they are (or were) affected by the politicians’ best intentions (or not).

lyrics

Three jobs on the go - but still she can’t make ends meet
A pay-day loan - no man at home and nights out now a rare treat.
Christmas coming fast. The kids are all expecting!
Here comes another pay freeze, there can be no happy ending.

And all her yesterdays - and all her bright tomorrows
Lie strewn in broken disarray. Woman of constant sorrow
She had a part to play. She had her lines to follow
But someone tore the script up
And those promises sound hollow - hollow to her now

Worked all his life but now he’s blind - he can’t work anymore.
A government statistic of the undeserving poor.
His benefits have been withdrawn - he’s just been re-assessed.
He’s no less blind but he’s still on the scrap heap with the rest.

No money and the rent is due - there’s only one way out
The rope goes tight, there’s one last breath and no-one hears him shout,
“I had a part to play - I had some lines to follow”
But someone tore the script up
And your promises sound hollow – hollow to us now

For those of you that make it through to realise your pension
Don’t celebrate – there’s one small thing that they forgot to mention
You thought you had a deal - You thought they’d keep their bargain
Your thirty, forty, fifty years not worth a ruddy farthing.

The politicians’ say, “We’re all in this together.
Green shoots around the corner boys. Look out for better weather.”
You played your part quite well. Your lines were neatly followed
then someone tore the script up
Now their promises sound hollow - hollow -hollow

And all our yesterdays and all our bright tomorrows
Lie strewn in broken disarray. We are men of constant sorrow
We want a part to play. We want some lines to follow.
But you tore all the scripts up
Now your promises sound hollow
…hollow to us now.

credits

from A Carousel for Fools, released June 21, 2015
Written by Mather & Robinson

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The Mather Robinson Band Salford, UK

Dave Mather and Pete Robinson grew up together in the north of England in the nineteen sixties and have been writing and performing music individually and as a team ever since. From Opera to rock to pop and now back to their roots in folk music. Mather & Robinson entertain audiences in the north west of England but if you ask them - they will hummmm. ... more

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