Old Wives Tales by The Shambles

The Shambles' Comments:  The following song is almost entirely (and intentionally) composed of proverbs, platitudes and clichés. Parents have, pretty much, to rely on these only, as the accumulated wisdom of humankind, in any formal way, does not appear to be directed to the business of producing, rearing and educating our children. Education is for passing on knowledge on far more important subjects You do need a licence to drive a car or keep certain types animals but practically anyone has the right to produce children.


You've gone and spoilt it for yourself
Look a gift horse in the mouth
You put your big foot in it
When you open your *north and south
You know the value of nothing
The price of everything
Know when it's going for a song
But not what makes you sing

Well where there's a will
Well, there's a way
Tomorrow is another day
But, if tomorrow never comes
It won't matter much anyway
You're only young once you know
You reap what you sow
The devil makes work for idle hands
Easy come and easy go

When wise words fail, try old wives tales
Try old wives tales, when wise words fail

Well, look at how you've grown
Soon have children of your own
Staying out until late at night
Talking on your telephone
The things you hear yourself say
"It wasn't like it in my day" 
Just use those words and proverbs
What's wrong with an old cliché? 
If you repeat it one more time
Maybe, the ball will cross the line? 
You win the game, set and match
Everything will turn out fine
This life is full of surprises
You won't win many prizes
There's plenty of sunsets
But the sun it also rises

When wise words fail, try old wives tales
Try old wives tales, when wise words fail

*North and south, is cockney rhyming slang. for mouth.

Roger Gall 1997