From the recording "LIVE" at the Railyard

LIVE at the Railyard in Mission May 7, 2016
Written by Dave "Smoky" Hurn. Arranged and with additional lyrics by Bryan O'Ruanaidh
Guitar and Vocal: Bryan O'Ruanaidh,

Lyrics

U.I. Blues – David (Smokey) Hearn & Bryan O’Ruanaidh © 1985 SOCAN
G
Won’t you send me one more pogey cheque
C
I’m fresh outta dope and I’m a nervous wreck
G D
The Landlord, he’s a pounding on my door
G C
I’m scrounging ashtrays for cigarettes and I’m right up to frickin’ here, in debt.
G D G
Mr Trudeau won’t you send me just one cheque more.

(CHORUS)
C D G
And it’s NO – NO – NO – YES-YES – NO
C D G
And I swear I’ll be workin’ in another week or so
C D G - Em
And I’ll tell you any lie you wanna h e a r
C D G
if you just keep buying this thirsty boy his beer.
G
Well I’m ready willing and able to work
C
I’m just another labouring, suffering jerk
G D
And I make it a point to always check the board
G C
But there weren’t no call for chicken pluckers, breast inspectors or oyster shuckers
G D G
So I ain’t got a job yet anyway – thank the lord
(CHORUS)
C D G
And it’s NO – NO – NO - YES-YES – NO
C D G
And I swear I’ll be workin’ in another week or so
C D G - Em
And I’ll tell you any lie you wanna h e a r
C D G
if you just keep buying this thirsty boy his beer

G
I went down to Manpower just the other day
C
Like I’ done most every week
G D
The lineup there it was right around the block
G C
There were miners, strippers, loggers and shippers,
C C
servers, framers, barbers, and bakers,
G D
nurses, lawyers, pilots, tree planters too.
G C
soldiers, sailors, posties and whalers
C
flaggers, truckers, baggers and tailors
G D G
And THEY ain’t got a job now either, how ‘bout you?

(CHORUS)
C D G
And it’s NO – NO – NO - YES-YES – NO
C D G
And I swear I’ll be workin’ in another week or so
C D G - Em
And I’ll tell you any lie you wanna h e a r
C D G
if you just keep buying this thirsty boy his beer


POGEY: governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need…
also (formerly) known as Unemployment Insurance.
Number of weeks you worked determined how long you could collect.
One day, without any prior notice, the cheque just wouldn’t arrive
your claim was done.
Dope = marijuana – Mail in cards – Ready, Willing, Able - Manpower – Board