GOLDEN CHAINS

(aka HAND ME DOWNS)
Writer:  Melanie Safka
From the 2016 release RAGAMUFFIN
Originally written in the late 1970s and later part of the show ACE of DIAMONDS

 

I'm leaving go and laying down them golden chains, old boy

My body’s getting back at me for dancing without joy

Those hand-me-downs were all I ever got to use

To keep me free of fear and tied to you

Those hand-me-downs were all I ever got to use

To keep me free of fear and tied to you

 

The very worst thing that I have ever done

Was deliberately lose something I worked for hard and won

Those hand-me-downs were just to cut and dry

To vindicate my life and damn the lie

Those hand-me-downs were all I ever got to use

To keep me free of fear, keep me living here

They keep me free of fear and tied to you

 

Tragedy, it has an ancient soul

Small time desperation is the only thing I know

Those hand-me-downs were meant to satisfy

To keep us free of fear and half-alive

Those hand-me-downs were all I ever got to use

To keep me free of fear, keep me living here

They keep me free of fear and tied to you