MATCHSTALK MEN AND MATCHSTALK CATS AND DOGS
(Burke / Coleman)
Brian & Michael - 1978


He painted Salford's smokey tops 
On cardboard boxes from the shops 
And parts of Ancoats where I used to play 
I'm sure he once walked down our street 
Cause he painted kids who had nowt on their feet 
The clothes we wore had all seen better days. 

Now they said his works of art were dull 
No room, all round the walls are full 
But Lowry didn't care much anyway 
They said he just paints cats and dogs 
And matchstalk men in boots and clogs 
And Lowry said that's just the way they'll stay 

And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 
He painted kids on the corner of the street with the sparking clogs 
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them factory gates 
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 

Now canvas and brushes were wearing thin 
When London started calling him 
To come on down and wear the old flat cap 
They said tell us all about your ways 
And all about them Salford days 
Is it true you're just an ordinary chap 

And he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 
He painted kids on the corner of the street with the sparking clogs 
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them factory gates 
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 

Now Lowries hang upon the wall 
Beside the greatest of them all 
And even the Mona Lisa takes a bow 
This tired old man with hair like snow 
Told northern folk its time to go 
The fever came and the good Lord mopped his brow 

And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 
He left us kids on the corner of the street with sparking clogs 
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them pearly gates 
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 

And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 
He left us kids on the corner of the street with sparking clogs 
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them pearly gates 
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 

And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 
He left us kids on the corner of the street with sparking clogs 
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them pearly gates 
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 

And he left us matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs 
He left us kids on the corner of the street with sparking clogs 
Now he takes his brush and he waits outside them pearly gates 
To paint his matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs