Dead Man's Boots

He said “you see these work boots in my hands
They'd probably fit ye know, my son
Take them, they're a gift from me
Why don't you try them on?

It would do your old man good to see
You walking in his boots one day
And take your place among the men
Who work up on the slipway.”

These dead man's boots
Though they're old and curled
When a feller needs a job
And a place in the world.

And it's time for a man to put down roots
And walk to the river in your old man's boots.

Why in the Hell would I do that
And why would I agree?
When your hand was all that I received
As far as I remember.

It's not as if you'd spoiled me
With your kindness up to then you see
I had a plan of me own and I'd quit this place
When I came of age September.

These dead man's boots
Know their way down the hill
They could walk there themselves
And they probably will.

I had plenty of choice, plenty other routes
And you'd never see me walking in these dead man's boots
What was it made him think
I'd be happy ending up like him.

When he'd hardly got two ha'pennies left
Or a broken pot to piss in
He wanted the same thing for me
Was that his final wish?

What the hell are you going to do?!
Anything but this!

These dead man's boots
Know their way down the hill
They could walk there themselves
And they probably will.

But they won't walk with me
Cause I'm off the other way
I've had it up to here
I'm going to have my say.

When all you've got left
Is that cross on the wall
I want nothing from you
I want nothing at all.

Not a pension or a pittance
When this whole life is through
Get this through your head
I'm nothing like you!

I'm done with all the arguments
There'll be no more disputes
And you'll die before you see me
In these dead man's boots.