Aren't you a skinny kid - just like his poppa Where's he working ? - he's not working Thin as the smile I wear Cold as the beaches you comb Till the cows come home Tell the truth again - tell the truth again Near to the knuckle, near to the knuckle Why're you laughing ? - you call that laughing ? Wearing your death's head grin - even the fishes are thin When the boat comes in Things are better now - things are better now We've education I doff my cap to a life that lets you Dream a poor man's dream But he can't have his coffee with cream Till the cows come home