Digital Tradition Mirror

Sixteen on the Dole

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

Sixteen on the Dole

The future held such promise as he started at the school
Every day a new day, full of learning, full of rules
They taught him all about his world as by the years did roll
He was sixteen years a schoolkid, now he's sixteen on the dole

At school he was no genius but still he didn't care
He was young and he was happy in the sun and in the air
For soon he would become a man and try to reach his goal
But the joy soon turned to bitterness at sixteen on the dole

     And I've seen him in the city streets more times than I can tell
     All around this country his face is known so well
     As he wanders round killing time, his life an endless stroll
     He was sixteen years a schoolkid, now he's sixteen on the dole

The world he sees around him is a world that doesn't care
For it shows him what a teenage kid should eat and drink and wear
And through its glittering pop world makes him wander like a mole
You can't afford the sunshine at sixteen on the dole

     And I've seen him ....................

In time the gravestone of this crime will bear the victim's name
All the wreaths and flowery words won't hide the nation's shame
For the politicians have no cure for cancer of the soul
He was sixteen years a schoolkid, now he's sixteen on the dole

     And I've seen him

LK
oct99

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!