Wot’s the good of Hanyfink? Why? Nuffink!

AKA
First Published1894

Writer/composerAlbert Chevalier & Charles Ingle RoudRN32452

Music Hall PerformersAlbert Chevalier
Folk performancesCollected from the singing of:
Keeping family ; England : London ; 1930s – 1950s
This world's a disappointment!
On that score my mind's made up.
The chances is unequal quite—
The few I've 'ad I've weighed up.
An' arter lots of thinkin',
'Ave come to this conclusion-—
That hev'ry-think in life is but
A snare and a delusion.

Wot's the good of tryin' to hearn a livin' nowadays?
Wot's the good of honesty when 'umbug only pays?
Wot's the good of slavin' or a-ravin' about savin'—
Wot's the good of hanyfink? Why! Nuffink!


They say wiv my appearance that
I never takes no trouble,
That on my chin there allus is
At least a two day's stubble.
I used ter shave each mornin' when
A razor I could borrer,
But chucked it 'cos it only meant
A scrape again to-morrer!

Wot's the good of tryin' to hearn a livin' now-a-days?
Wot's the good of honesty when 'umbug only pays?
Wot's the good of shavin'? costs a penny—worth while savin'
Wot's the good of hanyfink? Why! Nuffink!


I 'ave thought as I'd marry 'cos
I'm so domesticated,
But women's sich a funny lot
The sex is over-rated!
Suppose I settled down in life,
I'd 'ave ter find a missus,
Then fancy me a comin' 'ome
Ter bread an' cheese an' kisses!

Wot's the good of tryin' to hearn a livin' now-a-days?
Wot's the good of honesty when 'umbug only pays?
Wot's the good of spoonin'? might as well take on balloonin'
Wot's the good of hanyfink? Why! Nuffink!


Now when I goes ter bed at night,
I seldom takes my boots off,
'Cos if I gits a job—at five
I nearly allus scoots off!
An' then I 'as ter 'unt about,
There's sich a job ter find 'em,
An' so I keeps ‘em on, an'pon
My word I never mind 'em!

Wot's the good of tryin' to hearn a livin' now-a-days?
Wot's the good of honesty when 'umbug only pays‘?
Wot's the good of messin' about dressin'? 'tain't no blessin'
Wot's the good of hanyfink? Why! Nuffink!


A philosophical Coster song co-written and performed by  Albert Chevalier, later remembered at Keeping family sing-songs

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