The Pavement Stones
(A Song Of The Unemployed)

Henry Lawson, 1890

      When first I came to town, resolved
      To fight my way alone,
      No prouder foot than mine e'er trod
      Upon the pavement stone;
      But I am one in thousands,
      And why should I repine?
      The pavement stones have broken springs
      In stronger feet than mine.

      I brought to aid me all the hope
      And energy of youth;
      And in my heart I felt the strength
      Of plain bucolic truth:
      The independence nourished
      Amid the hills and trees —
      But, ah! the city hath a cure
      For qualities like these.

      I wonder oft how e'er I made
      The efforts that I made,
      For after three long weary years
      I taught myself a trade.
      And two more years and I was free
      With strength and hope elate,
      For "he that hath a trade," they say,
      "Hath also an estate."

      I tramped the streets and looked for work
      And begged for work in vain,
      Until I recked not, though I ne'er
      Might touch my tools again.
      I tramped the streets despairing;
      My cheeks grew white and thin;
      I felt the pavement wearing through
      The leather, sock, and skin.

      The bitter war goes on between
      The idlers and the drones,
      Until the hearts of men grow cold
      And hard as pavement stones;
      But I am one amid the crowd,
      Then why should I repine?
      The pavement stones have broken springs
      In stronger feet than mine.