AGDAGDDAG
Mama, mama, come and listen now and I’ll tell you what I saw
GD
I was down by the railway gates – I was feeling bored
GD
Then a goods train rolled up clickety-clack
GD
You say there ain’t no special in that
AGD
But it was crowded down, it was loaded down
AGD
With men all wearing rags and frowns
AGD
And if you want to listen what I’ve been told
AGDGD
Tonight it’s on for young and old in our town, tonight in our town.
GDGD
Won’t you spare a smile, can’t you shed a tear
AGD
In these sad times, in these bad times in these hungry years
DAG
Some say they are pickers, they are up for honest work
GDA
Some they are just hard time men, a little bit down on their luck
GDGD
So why is it you are frowning dad, when I say they’re not that bad?
AGD
Oh they are tired men, they’re unhired men
AGD
They ain’t slept warm since who knows when
AGD
And if you want to listen, if you want to know,
AGDGD
It’s caution to the wind they’ll throw in our town, tonight in our town
GDGD
Won’t you spare a smile, can’t you shed a tear
AGD
In these sad times, in these bad times in these hungry years
DAG
We are very many, and you are very few
GDA
And if we want to steal your girls – that’s just what we will do
GDGD
‘Cause you drove us from your cities, and you drove us from your trains
AGDAGD
And we are down and out in Ouyen town, and you know we are Mildura-bound
AGD
And if you want to listen, use your brains,
AGDGD
You’d better let us join your train and leave this town – I hate your town
GDGD
Won’t you spare a smile, can’t you shed a tear
AGD
In these sad times, in these bad times in these hungry years