Track 6 of the album Five Pounds of Sugar and a Suitcase · 2025
The Stallholder's Boy Takes the Scales
“A boy takes the scales while his father rests his hands. The most bouncing thing I have written for a market.”
cinematic pop · cinematic pop · brass band · 3:56
Lyrics
My father's hands are tired and the queue is round the bend He nods at me and grins, says the scales are mine to tend I'm twelve years old and tall enough to see above the crates With a pencil behind my ear and a pocket full of weights Pears are heavy, plums are light Count it slowly, get it right Hold the scales and hold them steady Give a fair weight, always ready Every penny, every pound Is a promise passed around Hold the scales, I've got the knack Father's watching at my back Take a bag and take a smile I'll be the best in half a mile A lady with a basket asks me, is it ripe or green I tell her sweet as summer, the best you've ever seen She laughs and takes a dozen and she tips me with a wink And I feel ten feet taller than I ever thought to think Pears are heavy, plums are light Count it slowly, get it right Hold the scales and hold them steady Give a fair weight, always ready Every penny, every pound Is a promise passed around Hold the scales, I've got the knack Father's watching at my back Take a bag and take a smile I'll be the best in half a mile Sunday comes and the square grows still Coins are counted on the sill Father ruffles up my hair Says the stall will be mine to share Hold the scales and hold them steady Give a fair weight, always ready Every penny, every pound Is a promise passed around Hold the scales, I've got the knack Father's watching at my back Take a bag and take a smile I'll be the best in half a mile Pears are heavy, plums are light And the world is weighed out right