Rag-and-Bone Man

1.

Old things I buy, I buy old things!
Old tassels, old clothes,
old metal, old loves.
Old things I buy!
I buy old bits and pieces,
nonessential odds and ends,
beat-up shoes, raggedy shirts,
luck that once lucked out.
Old things, old things, old things I buy!
I buy old everyday things,
jealousies of every size,
old vests in your closet,
old pots on your stove,
old soot on your conscience,
old rust on your dreams.
Old things, old things, old things I buy!
I buy old everyday things,
jealousies of every size,
old loves, old luck, old lapses, old lies.
I buy old joys and used-up youth—
old things, old things, old things I buy!

2.

Old things I buy and sell good as new.
Come on down, sir! Long life to your children!
Come down and rummage my empty pockets—
you won’t find as much as a buck.
Ah, if only you met our fine young bachelors!
If only you met Dalip, an ace of a guy,
you’d do him the goodness of offering your shoes,
and he’d take them and bow to you;
he’d resole them and polish them
till they shined like the morning sky.
And handsome, handsome, no one’s more handsome!
He’d come down to the street in the neighborhood
so dashing and clear-eyed and all decked out,
and the girls, they’d be jostling each other,
and the women, exchanging such looks,
and the men, they’d be filled with envy.
Ah yes, old shoes—old things I buy!

3.

Old things I buy and sell good as new.
For mercy’s sake, dear lady (God be with you!),
why are you asking so much?
I’m a married man, with a wife and children,
long may the darlings live, but they’ve eaten me alive,
they’ve brought my house to rack and ruin!
This dress, now it really isn’t your style—
here’s a hundred dinars and let’s call it even!
Ah, if only you knew our jet-eyed Kalina!
She’s just getting ready to be a young bride.
How she will bless you! How she will thank you!
She’ll bless your grandchildren, your great-grandchildren,
and all the generations yet to come!
Ah yes, old dresses for young brides—
old things I buy!

4.

Old things I buy, I buy old things!
Old tassels, old clothes,
old metal, old loves.
I buy old everyday things,
annoyances of every size,
old worries, old sufferings,
old honor, old lies.
Old things, old things, old things I buy!
Old luck, old loves,
old joys, old youth.
I buy old trimmings and clothing.
Old things, old things, old things I buy—
old things for new comings and goings.