The old mate was lying there,
he was grey and frail.
At least he was going to
die peacefully.
He'd been a real good mate,
someone I could trust.
So I asked if he had some
wise words for me.
He said, don't let the old man in, mate,
don't let the old man in
He'll lead you down that
road of misery
Throw away that rocking chair
and get back on your feet
You use it or you lose it, just like me
Well, I grabbed his hand,
it was thick and hard and cracked
From axes and hammers
and old machinery
I said, you're full of shit old mate
You gave it all you had
And you're looking bloody
fit for ninety -three
He said, don't let the old man in, mate
Don't let the old man in,
he'll lead you down that
road of misery
Throw away that rocking chair
and get back on your feet
Use it or you'll lose it,
just like me
Well, passed away, and I won't forget
How hard the old folks worked
We're gettin' soft, I reckon,
you'll agree
Maybe that's a good thing,
only time will
But I won't forget his
wise words for me
He said, don't let the old man in, baby
Don't let the old man in
He'll lead you down that
road of misery
Throw away that rocking chair
And get back on your feet
Use it or you'll lose it, just like me
Don't let the old man in, mate,
don't let the old man in
He'll lead you down that
road of misery
Throw away that rocking chair
and get back on your feet
Use it or you'll lose it, just like me
Use it or you'll lose it, just like me