CAPO: 2nd Fret INTRO: C F G C G C My old man was a good old man G Skilled in the moulding trade F C In the stinking heat of the iron foundry F G My old man was made F G C Down on his knees in the moulding sand F G He wore his trade like a company brand F C He was one of the Cyclops' smoky band F G C C Yes, that was my old man G C My old man wasn't really old G It's just that I was young F C And anyone o'er twelve years old F G Was halfway to the tomb F G C He was loyal to his workmates all his life F G Gave over his pay-pack to his wife F C He'd have a few jars on a Saturday night F G C C Yes, that was my old man G C My old man was a union man G Worked hard all his days C F He understood the system G And was wise to the boss' ways F G C He said, "If you want what's yours by right F G You'll have to struggle with all your might F C They'll rob you blind if you don't fight them" F G C C That was my old man G C My old man was a proud old man G At home on the foundry floor F C Until the day they laid him off F G And showed him out the door F G C They gave him his card, said, "Times are slack, F G We found a machine that has the knack F C Of doing your job, so don't come back" F G C The end of my old man G C My old man was fifty-one G What was he to do? F C A moulding craftsman on the dole F G In nineteen fifty-two F G C He felt he'd given all he could give F G So he did what thousands of others did F C He abandoned hope and the will to live F G C C They killed him, my old man G C My old man he is dead and gone G And I am your old man F C And my advice to you, my child F G Is to fight back while you can F G C Beware the man with the silicon chip F G Hold on to your job with a good firm grip F C 'Cause if you don't, you've cashed your chips F G C The same as my old man F C 'Cause if you don't, you've cashed your chips F G C FGC The same as my old man