Lyr Req: Harry's Wife (Eric Bogle)

Subject: Eric Bogle's Harry's Wife
From: Amergin
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 01:16 AM

Hi folks,

I have a friend who is currently splitting from her husband. She recently heard the song Harry's Wife somewhere or other and really liked it. I told her I'd get the lyrics for her. If any of you good folks could post them for me or tell me where I can find them, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

Amergin

Subject: Lyr Add: HARRY'S WIFE (Eric Bogle)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 04:21 AM

Hi, Amergin - I couldn't find this in my usual sources, so I decided to transcribe it. I played the first stanza over and over, trying to figure out what words he used to describe that "loose-lipped tight-hipped youthful blonde," and I couldn't figure it out. then I remembered that I had an Eric Bogle songbook, so I let the scanner do the work. Powerful song, isn't it?
-Joe Offer-

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HARRY'S WIFE
(Eric Bogle, 1988)

Verse 1.
Harry's wife is on her own
Harry's up and Harry's gone
Livin' in a middle-aged Babylon
With a loose-lipped tight-hipped youthful blonde.
Harry's wife is fifty-four
It's been thirty years or more
Since she gave up her job for Harry and the kids
Round about now she's sorry that she did.

CHORUS:
Harry's wife, Harry's wife,
What you gonna do with the rest of your life?
Are you just gonna lay down, roll over, and die?
Harry's wife, Harry's wife,
Are you gonna make the best of your life?
Stand up, lady, and spit in Harry's eye!

Verse 2.
Harry and the blonde will be O.K.
They'll manage quite nicely on Harry's pay
Harry's wife doesn't have a wage
Not many jobs around for women of her age
The house and the car are in Harry's name
The bank accounts are just the same
She'll have to hire a lawyer to get her share
And get used to playin' solitaire

Verse 3.
Harry's mates all nudge and wink
It's clear what Harry's mates all think
While their wives phone their sympathies
And avoid her like some contagious disease
Her kids are embarrassed and mortified
They lecture and they patronize
"Isn't it disgusting?" they all say
"People of their age shouldn't act that way"

Verse 4.
Harry's wife was christened Emily Jane
But few if any use her name
She's worn a label most of her life
As a mother, housekeeper and dutiful wife
So Emily Jane has shed no tears
Just thirty pounds and fifteen years
Got a new job, new friends and new clothes
After years spent as a daisy, she's bloomin' like a rose

Verse 5.
So Emily Jane's cast aside her veil
Lifted her game and broken out of jail
Moved from the shadow into the light
I think she's goin' to be all right
Cause no matter whatever path she takes
At least she'll be makin' her own mistakes
Her life will never be the same
Since she got to know a woman called Emily Jane
JRO

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Eric Bogle's Harry's Wife
From: Amergin
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 10:49 AM

Thanks alot, Joe. I really appreciate it.

Amergin