Sample Lyrics
"Everybody Works But Father"
Words and Music by Jean Havez
This song was performed by Lew Dockstader and his minstrel company, which toured the United States throughout the early 1900's. This is the lyric as it appears in the original sheet music published by Helf & Hager (NY) in 1905. The verses are in 6/8 time, the chorus is in 4/4 time.
Verse 1
Every morning at six o'clock
I go to my work,
Overcoat buttoned up 'round my neck
No job would I shirk,
Winter wind blows 'round my head
Cutting up my face,
I tell you that I'd like to have
My dear old father's place.
Chorus
Everybody works but father
And he sits around all day,
Feet in front of the fire --
Smoking his pipe of clay,
Mother takes in washing
So does sister Ann,
Everybody works at our house
But my old man.
Verse 2
A man named Work moved into town,
And father heard the news,
With Work so near, my father started
Shaking in his shoes.
When Mister Work walked by the house
He saw with great surprise,
My father sitting in his chair
With blinders on his eyes.
(Repeat Chorus)
Verse 3
At beating carpets father said
He simply was immense,
We took the parlor carpet out
And hung it on the fence,
My mother said: "Now beat it dear,
With all you (sic) might and main,"
And father beat it right back
To the fireside again.
(Repeat Chorus)