All songs words & music © Ed Pickford PRS/MCPS

I served my time in the yards by the Tyne

Dined in the dust of the old Westoe mine

Busted my nuts sailing ships of the line

Now I’m laid down like an old vintage wine

I’m doing the best that I can

Time’s on my shoulder - sand falls through glass

Winters grow colder and all things must pass

Still splice the mainbrace - while watching the sun

Over the yardarm - to help my wheels run

And I’m doing the best that I can

Chorus:

Doing the best that I can

Easy & slow - go with the flow -I am no man

 with a plan

I’m doing the best that I can

I rise lock horns with the day as it dawns

That time is my time - before the world yawns

Coffee pot purring and spurring to life

Sunrise is stirring as sweet as my wife

And I’m doing the best that I can

Books are old friends that I take from the shelf

Rich in ideas - I plunder their wealth

We walk together - by life’s golden stream

Pages to travel - I’m living the dream

And I’m doing the best that I can

Chorus:

Doing the best that I can

Say what I mean - mean what I say - sometimes I don’t give a damn

I’m doing the best that I can

ending:

Still fix my bayonet - not looking to hide

Fighting the system - a thorn in its side

Last thing in life - thatI’ll lose is my pride

I’m doing the best that I can