SAVE YOUR MONEY WHILE YOU'RE YOUNG is a native American song which was common in the lumber camps of the North-East, as well as in Michigan and Ontario, where this variant was recovered by Edith Fowke. It came to us along a chain of revival singers, through Barry O'Neill and Sara Grey.
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Come all you jolly good fellows, I'll sing to you a song
It's all about the shantyboys and it won't take me long
For it's now I do regret the day, while I'm working out in the cold
Save your money while you're young, my boys, you'll need it when you're old:
For once I was a shantey boy, oh wasn't I a lad?
And the way I spent me money, oh wasn't it too bad?
For it's now I do regret the day, while I'm working out in the cold
Save your money while you're young, my boys, you'll need it when you're old.
Well, if you are a single man, I'll tell you what to do
Just find some pretty young girl who to you will prove true
Just find some pretty girl who is not over bold
Who'll stick to you through life and be a comfort when you're old:
And if you are a married man, I'll tell you what to do
Be good to you're wife and family, as you are sworn to do
Stay away from the grog shops where liquor is bought and sold
Save your money while you're young, my boys, you'll need it when you're old:
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