An Old Pipe Layer

One of  the crew in the mid sixties who laid water pipes in Ballarat
Few of them did live for to grow old tired and fat
Near his physical prime then that was long ago
And time that ages all people has become his foe

In his mid to late twenties then in his life's prime
Balding and grey haired now showing the wear of time
Physically strong, tall and handsome and muscular back then
He did hold his own among the strongest of work hardened men

Of his time in Ballarat he has many stories to tell
Of his nights drinking with his workmates in the Peter Lalor Hotel
After a hard day's working they went to their houses of lodging in peace every night
And they never took part in or did cause a fight

In his years as a pipe layer never an easy pay
He did earn his living in the hardest way
In his best years at laying heavy pipes he earned his renown
And he worked on pipe laying crews in many a town

Though many women have come to and gone from his life
He is growing old without children or a partner or wife
In Ararat City he first saw light of day
But far north of there he is showing time's decay

He did have some good times in the distant past
But on looking back the years he realizes time did go so fast
He will turn eighty on his next birthday
That time wearies the strongest only true for to say.