Early in the morning, when I get out of bed
She says, "Get up, honey, your eyes are really red
It's those late nights that you're keeping with your pals."
She says, "Get down to the pub, give me some ale."
It's the reason that I must get a job
She says, "Look in the papers, there's something for you in there."
It's the reason that I feel it's a sin
All the kids lining up, all the kids staying thin
It's so hard
I see a ship and it is coming down the Thames
Up and down, up and down; here it comes again
In my binoculars the captain looks sweet
He has tattoos on his arm, and he's really neat
It's so hard
Down at the labour and there's nothing for me
He has a cabin, and he's safe at sea
Stowaway tanker is something to he; it's so hard
Meanwhile, back in the kitchen there is something real dull
She is standing in her curlers, and she's ready to blow
A see-through apron 'round her waist and her thighs
She says, "Give me one." I say no