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Goldwatch Blues Lyrics

Artist: Donovan

GOLDWATCH BLUES
Donovan

I went up for my interview on the fourth day of July.
First old man he questioned me until I nearly cried,
Made me fill in forms until I shook with fear
About the colour of my toilet roll and if my cousin's queer.

CHROUS:

Here's your goldwatch and the shackles for your chain
And your piece of paper to say you left here sane.
And if you've a son who wants a good career
Just get him to sign on the dotted line and work for fifty
years. CHORUS.

He asked me how many jobs I'd had before.
He nearly had a heart attack when I answered, four.
Four jobs in twenty years, oh, this can never be
We only take on men who work until they die. CHORUS.

He took me outside to where the gravestones stand in line.
This is where we bury them in quick-stone and in lime
And if you come to work for us on this you must agree,
That if you're going to die please do it during tea. CHORUS.

This story that you heard you may think rather queer
But it is the truth you'll be surprised to hear.
I did not want no job upon the board,
I just wanted to take a broom and sweep the bloody floor.
CHORUS.

Transcribed by Stephen Sander
steve_sander
cacdsp.com

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Stephen Sander
kms
inet.net
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Comments/Interpretations

by skipalongsam@sunshinesuperman.co.uk on 3/6/2009 6:27am
Come on Steve Sander, get it right. Donovan didn't write this song. It was written by another folkie from Herts - Mick Softley. And it's credited to Mick on every Donovan LP and CD that I've got. The last line of the 3rd verse goes 'tea BREAK' not 'tea' which is, basically, meaningless!

by tony on 7/9/2009 11:28am
glad to see that someones on the ball

by M on 6/22/2011 10:15am
I believe that Little Tin Soldier was written by Shawn Phillips. Please correct me if I'm wrong.Great song nonetheless.

by Julie Keys on 1/9/2012 4:12am
I'm sure in the first line it is "Personnel Man" not first old man - great song, especially in these days of trying to find a job!

by Valerie Grimshaw on 4/14/2012 5:38pm
It's "If you're gonna die please do it during tea break"

by Valerie Grimshaw on 4/14/2012 5:41pm
It is "first old man..." This was my first ever live performance in 1969 and I know this- it was at school and I sang .."sweep the bloody floor..." stick that in your pipe Mr Chamberlain BSc Cantab (god (if there is one) rest his soul!

by melissa softley on 8/20/2012 9:48am
NOT DONOVAN- MY DAD MICK SOFTLEY WROTE THIS!!

by martine le corre on 5/25/2015 5:11am
Hello Melissa, pleased to read you're Mick's daughter ! We are many loving him :) !!! All the best for him and you <3

by Paul Mower on 1/8/2020 5:26pm
I had the pleasure of meeting Mick in the 60's in Hemel where I lived. I often went to both the Spinning Wheel where Mick had established his folk club and where he guested at the Steamcoach in Boxmoor. He was a predigious writer of songs with meanings. "Gold Watch Blues!" being one of my favourites, I can remember him too on Hemel Market his stall selling foam rubber!

by Paul Mower on 1/8/2020 5:28pm
I had the pleasure of meeting Mick in the 60's in Hemel where I lived. I often went to both the Spinning Wheel where Mick had established his folk club and where he guested at the Steamcoach in Boxmoor. He was a predigious writer of songs with meanings. "Gold Watch Blues!" being one of my favourites, I can remember him too on Hemel Market with his stall selling foam rubber!