On the Dole
By - The Shochad
c.1951

When ye’re thrown upon Life’s Scrapheap
O’ grim poverty and strife
And ye struggle for existence
From the cradle on through life,
When the odds are all against ye
And the hand o’ Fate as well
To make your life a living curse –
That’s the time ye pass thro’ Hell !

When the world brands ye an outcast
With neither home nor friend,
And ye keep on drifting backwards
As ye wonder where ye’ll end,
And your clothing hangs in tatters
And ye look unkempt as well,
When the worst comes till the very worst -
That’s the time ye pass thro’ Hell.

When ye meet an ould-time cronie
As he passes on his way,
And he seems ashamed till meet ye
‘Cos he hesna time till stay,
Though ye were the first till help him
When upon him ill-luck fell,
Now he disna want till know ye –
That’s the time ye pass through Hell !

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Keep yur chin up Laddie - there's light at the end of the tunnel !
I hope nobody feels such despair nowadays. T.