Dead Man's Boots

You see these work boots in my hands
They'll probably fit you now, 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 these boots one day
And take your place among the men
Who work upon 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 his old man's boots

He said, "I'm nearly done and asking this
That you do one final thing for me
You're barely but a sapling
And you think that you're a tree"

"If you need a seed to prosper
You must first put down some roots
Just one foot, then the other
In these dead man's boots"

These dead man's boots know their way down the hill
They could walk there themselves, and they probably will
There's a place for ye there to sink your roots
And take a walk down the river in these dead man's boots

I said, "Why in the hell would I do that?
And why would I agree
When his hand was all that I'd received
As far as I remember?"
It's not as if he'd spoiled me
With his kindness up to then, you see
I'd 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 can walk there themselves, and they probably will
I'd plenty of choices, and plenty other routes
And he'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 halfpennies left
Or a broken pot to piss in
He wanted the same thing for me, was that his final wish?
He said, "What the hell are ye gonna do?"
I said, "Anything but this"

These dead man's boots know their way down the hill
They can walk there themselves and they most likely will
But they won't walk with me 'cause I'm off the other way
I've had it up to here, I'm gonna 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, nor a pittance when your 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 dispute

And you'll die before you see me in your dead man's boots