Hungry Years

Mama Mama come listen now
I'll tell you what I saw
When I was down by the railway gates
I was feeling bored
Then a goods train rolled up clickety clack
You say there ain't naught special in that
O but it was crowded down it was loaded down
With men all wearing rags and frowns
And if you want to listen, if you want to know
It's caution to the wind they'll throw in our town
(Tonight in our town)

SO won't you spare a smile
Can't you shed a tear?
In these sad times
In these bad times
In these hungry years

Some say that they are pickers
They are up for honest work
And 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 they're not that bad?
O they are tired men, they're unhired men
And they ain't slept warm since who knows when
And if you want to listen
If you want to know
It's caution to the wind they'll throw in our town
(Tonight in our town)

Well we are very many
And you are very few
And if we want to steal your girls
That's just what we will do
Because you drove us from your cities
You throw us from your trains
So we're down and out in Ouyen town
And you know we are Mildura bound
And if you want to listen
If you use your brains
You'd better let us board your trains and leave this town
(Christ I hate your town)