The Shed

When you were a carpenter there was purpose in your stride
There was an ease about you, you seemed more satisfied
Your tool belt hung around your waist, there was sawdust in your hair
You came home late and tired, but not worn down with care
 
Since you got the company car there’s trouble in those eyes
And though you’ve got a salary, a light’s gone out inside
And now you still come home late, in your suit of charcoal grey
But it’s a different kind of tired, from sitting down all day
 
LET’S BUILD A SHED, A SHED, WE SAID
THERE’S ENOUGH SPACE, DOWN IN THAT PLACE
DOWN IN THAT PLACE AT THE BACK OF OUR LITTLE GARDEN
YOU CAN HANG ALL YOUR TOOLS, ON SHELVES ON THE WALLS
FROM THOSE CLEVER SHELVES, THAT YOU MADE YOURSELF
WITH DIVIDERS AND SLOTS, AND GRADED HOLES FOR YOUR CHISELS
 
The timber’s been delivered, it’s starting to take shape
We cleared the ground together, over the Easter break
It will be a hideaway, somewhere we can sit
I found two old rocking chairs in number 7’s skip
 
It’s got four walls and window frames, though no glass in them yet
And the outside will be done next month with cladding we will get
The bench is up and ready and the roof is almost done
You can start to fix the flooring once the door is shot and hung
 
LET’S BUILD A SHED, A SHED, WE SAID
THERE’S ENOUGH SPACE, DOWN IN THAT PLACE
DOWN IN THAT PLACE AT THE BACK OF OUR LITTLE GARDEN
YOU CAN KEEP ALL YOUR SCREWS, THE SCREWS THAT YOU’LL USE
JUST LIKE YOU SUGGESTED IN JARS YOU’VE COLLECTED
ARRANGED AND LABELLED BY LENGTH AND BY TYPE AND BY GAUGE
 
Oh please take a week off work and finish off the shed
It’ll be a nice change, constructive work instead
Of sitting at that desk all day from morning until tea
It might bring us back together, as a family
 
Perhaps the boys could help you, finish off the roof
I know they’re not so practical, but if you showed them what to do
It’ll do them good to do, some hard work out of doors
And maybe it will help you, bond a little more
 
Oh please let’s get it finished, what you’ve done so far is great
But if it’s left another winter, it’s gonna be too late
I wish you’d’ve let me help you, I’m good at that stuff too
and showed me that our marriage meant something to you
 
I’m sorry that I said that I don’t mean to be unfair
But the floorings bowed already and foxes sleep in there
I just thought it’d make you happy and make us all more close
But now it stands there mocking full of cobwebs, mould and ghosts