Dignity from Jubilee by Blake

Dignity

You don’t have to tell me I know what you’re thinking
I see in your eyes that I’m not worth believing
I gave up my job to look after my wife
For better or worse it’s a contract for life
I didn’t expect to have days in the sun
But this is the hardest thing I’ve ever done

No I don’t want your sympathy
No I don’t need your charity
No but leave me my dignity

Now my money’s been sanctioned cos I didn’t mention
My daughter’s at college, my wife draws a small pension
The bank have been helpful but I’ve run out of headroom
Back paying for the unoccupied bedroom
Eleven pounds shy every week with the bills
I can’t afford coffee, can’t afford to be ill

No I don’t want your sympathy
No I don’t need your charity
No but leave me my dignity

Wait over there and please don’t make a scene
I move to the corner and it feels like a dream
I’ve worked since sixteen always pulling my weight
And I didn’t choose to rely on the state
I saved all my pennies I put nothing on credit
A cruel twist of fate now I line up to get it

No I don’t want your sympathy
No I don’t need your charity
No but leave me my dignity

You want me to know you’re just doing your job
But that’s no excuse to treat me like a dog
I’m not an animal I’m not a pig
I never hurt no-one what was it I did
You think that I’m gunning to bleed the state dry
But all that I’m doing is trying to get by

No I don’t want your sympathy
No I don’t need your charity
No but leave me my dignity

• 60s
• Alternative
• DIY
• Ken Loach
• Labour Party
• billy bragg
• lo-fi
• protest
• singer-songwriter
• social justice
• United Kingdom