Hungry Years â Weddings, Parties, Anything
Mama, mama, come and listen now and Iâll tell you what I saw
I was down by the railway gates â I was feeling bored
Then a goods train rolled up clickety-clack
You say there ainât no special in that
But it was crowded down, it was loaded down
With men all wearing rags and frowns
And if you want to listen what Iâve been told
Tonight itâs on for young and old in our town, tonight in our town.
Wonât you spare a smile, canât you shed a tear
In these sad times, in these bad times in these hungry years
Some say they are pickers, they are up for honest work
Some they are just hard time men, a little bit down on their luck
So why is it you are frowning dad, when I say theyâre not that bad?
Oh they are tired men, theyâre unhired men
They ainât slept warm since who knows when
And if you want to listen, if you want to know,
Itâs caution to the wind theyâll throw in our town, tonight in our town
Wonât you spare a smile, canât you shed a tear
In these sad times, in these bad times in these hungry years
We are very many, and you are very few
And if we want to steal your girls â thatâs just what we will do
âCause you drove us from your cities, and you drove us from your trains
And we are down and out in Ouyen town, and you know we are Mildura-bound
And if you want to listen, use your brains,
Youâd better let us join your train and leave this town â I hate your town
Wonât you spare a smile, canât you shed a tear
In these sad times, in these bad times in these hungry years