The Scaffolder's Wife - Mark Knopfler

The scaffolder’s wife

driving out of the yard

with a face that’s as hard

as a scaffolder’s bar —

when she goes into town

she might take the top down

on the car.

The quick little steps

in the stiletto boots

and the hair with the roots.

She comes in as a rule

to get the nails done

and the tan for the sun

when the kids are in school.

Don’t begrudge her the Merc

it’s been nothing but work

and a hard life.

Losing her looks

over company books

— the scaffolder’s wife.

In the wicked old days

when they went it alone

kept the company going

on a wing and a prayer.

They don’t pay that they owe

when they have the cash flow

— they don’t care

Don’t begrudge her the Merc

it’s been nothing but work

and a hard life.

Losing her looks

over company books

— the scaffolder’s wife.