American Old Time Song Lyrics: 06 Kind Relations
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 6
KIND RELATIONS.
We all have our share of the tips and the downs,
Whatever our rank or station;
And he's sure to get the most scoffs and frowns,
Who depends on his kind relations;
For its all very well once or twice to drop in.
To ask for a trifling favor,
But on the third time they are sure to begin
To construe it to bad behavior.
Chorus.
There's your kind relations! kind relations!
There's your kind relationsl
I speak from experience, and you'll find,
Though often they invite you,
When poverty comes close behind,
How quick then they'll slight you;
For it's-Clear the way, there's a knock at the door-
Say we are gone out for a ride, John;
I know who it is, it's that hungry boreĀDon't open the door too wide, John.-Chorus
My goods were one day seized for rent,
The broker took his station;
Pale and trembling, off I went
To try each kind relation;
Some hem'd, some ha'd, and some looked cool,
With faces of grief and sorrow;
Mv twin-brother said he had made it a rule
'Never to lend or borrow. - Chorus.
I thought in my sister to find a friend.
But soon she undeceived me,
By saying, "These are not times to lend,
I would if I could, relieve thee;"
A trifle, dear sister, would keep me afloat,
I shall sink if you do not arrange it;
She said she'd not less than a twenty-pound note,
And she couldn't find time to change it.-Chorus.
I lost my goods, but found that day,
(Though 'gainst me they had sinned all,)
Death summoned a rich old friend away,
Who left me a tidy windfall;
And then how they altered from what they'd just said,
Their cant, it was really provoking,
To hear them exclaim, as each hung down his head,
Lord! Tom, we were only a joking.-Chorus.
Now, who in the world so blest as me,
With so many kind relations?
I am asked to dinner, to supper, to tea,
I've a hundred invitations!
But their crawling presents I daily return,
Their kindness to me they may scant it,
For I hate those cold hearts that poverty would scorn,
And give to those who don't want it.-Chorus.