My father was a salesman
My mother was a saint
What can every God-given minute
To make enough to pay for rent?
The war was nearly over
The peace would soon being
Living on the edge of the city
When the roads were goin' in

But they couldn't take anymore (they couldn't take anymore)
But they had to (carry on)
But they couldn't take anymore (they couldn't take anymore)
But they had to (carry on) carry on (carry on)

So they learned to carry on with laughter and a song
To help them through the night
They're going to make it through, they're going to make it alright

The only entertainment
A piano and a radio
Heart-tealed cigarettes was enough
To keep them on the go
Another generation
Yearning to be free
Learning how to keep it together
And raise a family

They couldn't take anymore (they couldn't take anymore)
But they had to (carry on)
But they couldn't take anymore (they couldn't take anymore)
But they had to (carry on) carry on (carry on), carry on