Ry Cooder: ALWAYS LIFT HIM UP/KANAKA WAI WAI

(Alfred Reed)/(Traditional)

(G) - (C) - (D)



(G) When a fellow has the blues and feels discouraged

And there's (C) nothing else but trouble all his (G) life

When he's always grumbled at and never happy

Living with a scolding, aggravating (D) wife

If he's (G) sick and tired of life and takes to drinking

Do not pass him by,don't greet him with a (C) frown

Do not fail to lend a hand and try to (G) help him

Always lift him up and (D) never knock him (C) down (G)



If he stays out late at night because he's worried

And because his home is not what it should be

Have a smile for him whenever you should meet him

It would help him just the right way, don't you see

If he gambles when he's in the town or city

Tell him what he ought to do to gain the crown

Lend a hand and do not fail to show him pity

Always lift him up and never knock him down



If he cannot pay his debts and feels disgusted

If he's blue and doesn't have a word to say

Let him know you are his friend who can be trusted

It would cheer this lonely fellow on his way

If he finds it hard for him to keep his family

Let a kind word greet his ear when he's around

Don't say anything at all to make against him

Always lift him up and never knock him down



If he has no friends and everyone's against him

If he's failed at everything that he has tried

Try to lift his load, to help to bear his burden

Let him know that you are walking by his side

And if he feels that all is lost, and he is falling

Try to place that poor man's feet on solid ground

Just remember he's some mother's precious darling

Always lift him up and never knock him down

Always lift him up and never knock him down