When Your Pants Begin To Go - Slim Dusty

When you wear a cloudy collar and a shirt that isn’t white

And you cannot sleep for thinking how you’ll reach to-morrow night

You may be a man of sorrows, and on speaking terms with Care

But as yet you’re unacquainted with the Demon of Despair

For I rather think that nothing heaps the trouble on your mind

Like the knowledge that your trousers badly need a patch behind

You are nonetheless a hero if you elevate your chin

When you feel the pavement wearing through the leather, sock, and skin

You are rather more heroic than are ordinary folk

If you scorn to fish for pity under cover of a joke

You will face the doubtful glances of people that you know

But of course you’re bound to face them when your pants begin to go

Though the present and the future may be anything but bright

Oh it’s best to tell the fellows that you’re getting on all right

And a man prefers to say it, it’s a manly lie to tell

For the folk may be persuaded that you’re doing very well

But it’s hard to be a hero, and it’s hard to wear a grin

When your most important garment is in places very thin

Get some sympathy and comfort from the chum who knows you best

Then your sorrows won’t run over in the presence of the rest

There’s a mate that you can go to when you feel inclined to whine

He’ll declare your clothes are tidy, and he’ll say: «Just look at mine!»

Though they may be all over he will say it doesn’t shown

And he’ll swear it can’t be noticed when your pants begin to go

Brother mine, and of misfortune

Times are hard, but do not fret

Keep your courage up and struggle

And we’ll laugh at these things yet

Though there is no corn in Egypt, surely Africa has some

Keep your smile in working order for the better days to come

And we shall often laugh together at the hard times that we know

And get measured by the tailor when our pants begin to go

We shall often laugh together at the hard times that we know

And get measured by the tailor when our pants begin to go