Album: other songs

Dan

Dan by Eric BogleI'm pleased to meet you, my name's Dan,and I'm an honest working manA tarnished badge, they tell me,but it's one I wear with prideA fair day's work for a fair day's pay,I've always lived my life that wayBut now I can't help thinking,I've been taken for a rideThose hard years on the factory floor,toilin' in the ceaseless roar,that made me old before my time,wrecked my hearing and my healthAnd when I total up the cost,what I've gained to what I've lostI ask myself now Dan,what's the total of your wealth?Just how much is your life worth?I live in a house I'll never own,could never get a housing loanBank managers and suchlike,don't rate the likes of meFeeding three kids on a fitter's wage,I've always found it hard to saveAnd being an honest working mandon't count as equityAll those years of toil and sweat,climbing in and out of debtI often look back on themand ask myself for what?A rented house on a grimy streetAn endless fight to make ends meetWhen you add it all together,it don't seem like a lotBut it's all that I've gotBut a man's life can't be judged aloneby what he has or what he ownsIt's what he loves and cares forthat gives it qualityAnd what gives meaning to my lifeare my three kids and my wifeWe've always stuck together,always being a familyNow my kids are rotting on the dole,holding out the beggar's bowlI see the anger in their eyes,it cuts me to the heartand shall I simply stand asidewhile my kids are slowly crucified?Watch all I've worked and cared foras it slowly falls apartWell by Christ, I won't do thatI'm pleased to meet you, my name's Dan,and I'm an honest working manA tarnished badge, they tell me,but it's one I wear with prideA fair day's work for a fair day's pay,I've always lived my life that wayBut now I can't help thinking,I've been taken for a rideAnd though I ain't got much to spare,what I have I'm going to shareTo give my kids and other kids,some purpose, pride, and placeAnd you leeches, grown fat on my sweat,I promise you I won't forgetWhen I asked you if you'd share the load,you laughed right in my faceYes, you laughed right in my faceI'm pleased to meet you, my name's Dan,and I'm an honest working man