Get Up Get Out
Matt McGinn Lyrics


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With the grindstone to your nose

I bought a clock, a bonny wee clock
To help me tell the time
It waken me every morning
With a very poetic rhythm

Get up, get out, you lazy lout
Get into your working clothes
Up to your knees in oil and grease
With the grindstone to your nose

I married a lass, a bonny wee lass
And kept her many a-year.
Come what may, she began every day
By whispering in my ear

Get up, get out, you lazy lout
Get into your working clothes
Up to your knees in oil and grease
With the grindstone to your nose

Some can lie as long as they like
They're luckier man than me
I never get to lie very long
I'm only 5 foot 3

Get up, get out, you lazy lout
Get into your working clothes
Up to your knees in oil and grease
With the grindstone to your nose





I'll look for work tomorrow
If you just let me sleep today

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Matt McGinn's song Get Up Get Out are about the daily grind of working and the importance of hard work. The singer of the song seems to be struggling to start his day, but his wife and an alarm clock keep him motivated to get out of bed and get to work. The image of the grindstone to his nose implies that he works hard and is always grinding away, but it also gives a feeling of being trapped and stuck to the work. The lyrics about lying in bed convey the feeling of wanting to rest and take it easy, but the need to work and make a living always takes over. This song is basically about the struggle of living an everyday life.


The lyrics in the chorus, "Get up, get out, you lazy lout, Get into your working clothes, Up to your knees in oil and grease, With the grindstone to your nose", serve as a reminder of the notion that hard work is praised and rewarded. The repetitive chant-like chorus is an encouragement and a wake-up call to the listener, urging them to start their day and get to work. McGinn's style of singing is quite unique and straightforward, effortlessly inserting Scottish slang and colloquialisms into the lyrics and melody of the song.


Line by Line Meaning

With the grindstone to your nose
Work hard and don't waste your time


I bought a clock, a bonny wee clock To help me tell the time It waken me every morning With a very poetic rhythm
I got a clock to help me wake up in the morning with a pleasant sound


Get up, get out, you lazy lout Get into your working clothes Up to your knees in oil and grease With the grindstone to your nose
Stop being lazy and get to work, in the dirt and sweat


I married a lass, a bonny wee lass And kept her many a-year. Come what may, she began every day By whispering in my ear
I married a beautiful woman who encouraged me every day


Some can lie as long as they like They're luckier man than me I never get to lie very long I'm only 5 foot 3
I envy those who can sleep through the day, I am short and have to work hard


I'll look for work tomorrow If you just let me sleep today
I promise to work tomorrow if you let me rest today




Contributed by Christopher C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

Gilko

Wow, This is the original iliad song

gall. Bee

Yes. Matt McGinn. From Glasgow Scotland.

Our wee version

https://youtu.be/GCVyNKV2p_c

Angie Crossan

Brilliant. Was taught this at secondary school by my music teacher, Peter Mallan. I still hum it to myself now and again, haha!

Ian McKone Music

Great stuff. Thanks. Just started Coorie Doon , Matt McGinn's miner's lullaby to my grandson and looked up the words. Found all these videos and songs . The Pathe News reels are the heart of these.

Roscio Ciccione

Does anyone know which version is really the original? I found that The Weavers published theirs in 1965 (Reunion At Carnegie Hall, Part 2), while I can only find McGinn's one on Tinny Can On My Tail, 1972. Anything I missed?

Roberto Dellera

He was with the Weavers at the Carnegie Hall in 1963 so he had the song before them 🙋‍♂️

MJR

Very good, thank you for posting.

Sting

#Rivoluzioneiliad

fog flame

🤣

Wurfenkopf

forza palermooooo

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