He said it saved him from a bullet once
But I did not believe
He's just an old man in the park half drunk on rum
As he rolled another smoke and closed the John Bull Tin
He said, "I've carried that since 1941."
Rubbed and worn a shiny silver
Blue letters chipped away
His memories and tabacco fit within
He had one religious medal that he carried near his heart
But his pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin
Verse
He said. "It used to be a tire patch kit
But that was long ago
It's memories and tabacco now my friend
Ya know some folks need a magic lamp
To conjure up their dreams
But mine are kept inside the John Bull Tin."
Rubbed and worn a shiny silver
Blue letters chipped away
His memories and tabacco fit within
He had one religious medal that he carried near his heart
But his pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin
Verse
I found it lyin' in the grass
In a park near Shepherd's Bush
I never saw that old man again
I guess he rolled a final smoke
And went to his reward
Why else would he have dropped the John Bull Tin?
Rubbed and worn a shiny silver
Blue letters chipped away
His memories and tabacco fit within
He had one religious medal that he carried near his heart
But his pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin
Outro
His pride and joy was that old John Bull Tin