Harry’s Wife

Harry's wife is on her own
Harry's up and Harry's gone
Livin' in a middle-aged Babylon
With a loose-lipped tight-hipped youthful blonde
Harry's wife is fifty-four
It's been thirty year or more
Since she gave up her job for Harry and the kids
Round about now she's sorry that she did

CHORUS:
Harry's wife, Harry's wife
What you gonna do with the rest of your life?
Are you just gonna lay down roll over and die?
Harry's wife, Harry's wife
Are you gonna make the best of your life?
Stand up lady, and spit in Harry's eye!

Verse 2
Harry and his blonde will be O.K
They'll manage quite nicely on Harry's pay
Harry's wife doesn't have a wage
Not many jobs for women of her age
The house and the car are in Harry's name
The bank accounts are just the same
She'll have to hire a lawyer to get her share
And get used to playin' solitaire

Verse 3
Harry's mates all nudge and wink
It's clear what Harry's mates all think
While their wives phone their sympathies
And avoid her like some contagious disease
Her kids are embarrassed and mortified
They lecture and they patronize
"Isn't it disgusting" they all say
"People of their age should act this way"

Verse 4
Harry's wife was christened Emily Jane
But few if any use her name
She's worn a label for most of her life
Mother, housekeeper and dutiful wife
So Emily Jane has shed no tears
Just thirty pounds and fifteen years
Got a new job, new friends and new clothes
After years spent as a daisy, she's bloomin' like a rose

Verse 5
Emily Jane's cast aside her veil
Lifted her game and broken out of jail
Moved from the shadow into the light
And I think she's goin' to be all right
Cause no matter whatever path she takes
At least she'll be makin' her own mistakes
Her life will never be the same
Since she got to know a woman called Emily Jane
JRO