Little Aches and Pains
Paul Kelly Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Thanks for your letter and your kind words of comfort
It's good to hear from you again
I'm going ok, taking it day by day
You know what they say "Can't complain"

It's just these little aches and pains
I got 'em always now, sunshine or rain
It must be nice up there on the river
Maybe I could visit, I haven't had a trip in a while
There's nothing much keeping me here
I see the gang maybe once or twice a year
You and me, we could walk a rambling country mile

Test out these little aches and pains
When all else goes, they remain

Disabled we're born, disabled we die
Is that a cliché? I'll make it one!
Hope it doesn't get too creaky
I have found that what you don't know will hurt you
And what doesn't kill you makes you weaker

Leaves you with little aches and pains
I got 'em always now, sunshine or rain




Oh, these little aches and pains
I don't count my losses now, just my gains

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Paul Kelly's song "Little Aches and Pains" present a melancholic tone that is reflective of the struggles of aging. The singer is responding to a letter where he thanks the sender for their kind words of comfort. He states that he is doing well by taking every day as it comes and he is not complaining. However, he admits to constantly feeling these little aches and pains. The pains weigh on him, and he seems to envy the sender's description of the carefree life they are living up by the river. He suggests that maybe they could visit each other and take long walks together to test out his little aches and pains.


The lyrics convey a melancholic, but optimistic sentiment as the singer acknowledges the inevitability of aging and disability. He states that:"Disabled we're born, disabled we die," and goes ahead to add that he doesn't count his losses but his gains. The song is a commentary on how the aches and pains have affected his life at this stage. Each day is marked by the awareness of his limitations and how it is affecting his quality of life. He has come to accept the changes that come with life and the realization that some things are beyond his control.


Line by Line Meaning

Thanks for your letter and your kind words of comfort
I appreciate the comfort you have given me in your letter.


It's good to hear from you again
Your contact has been a pleasant surprise.


I'm going ok, taking it day by day
I'm managing and dealing with things one day at a time.


You know what they say "Can't complain"
Nothing much to report, but I'm coping as best I can.


It's just these little aches and pains
Despite everything, there are still these minor pains and annoyances.


I got 'em always now, sunshine or rain
These little aches and pains are present always, no matter the weather or time of day.


It must be nice up there on the river
You seem to be in a pleasant, comfortable place by the river.


Maybe I could visit, I haven't had a trip in a while
Perhaps visiting you would be a welcome change; it's been some time since I've been away.


There's nothing much keeping me here
I don't have strong ties or commitments that keep me from traveling.


I see the gang maybe once or twice a year
My social circle is relatively small and I don't see them often.


You and me, we could walk a rambling country mile
Perhaps you and I could take a leisurely walk through the countryside.


Test out these little aches and pains
I'm testing how tolerable these minor pains are.


When all else goes, they remain
Despite everything else changing, these small pains are always present.


Disabled we're born, disabled we die
It seems we're born needing assistance, and often need it again in our later years.


Is that a cliché? I'll make it one!
This may be a common saying, but I'll use it anyway.


Hope it doesn't get too creaky
I don't want to become too stiff or inflexible.


I have found that what you don't know will hurt you
Lack of knowledge can result in pain and discomfort.


And what doesn't kill you makes you weaker
Enduring pain doesn't make you stronger, but rather weakens you over time.


Leaves you with little aches and pains
Tolerating pain results in lasting minor aches and pains.


Oh, these little aches and pains
These minor pains and annoyances continue, persistently.


I don't count my losses now, just my gains
I focus more on what good things I have rather than what I've lost.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Maurice Kelly

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Ben Jefferis

Fucking awesome, love this song, Paul Kelly, the greatest songwriter in Australia.

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