This song is a plea to give older people a chance. It was written when I was struggling with two years of unemployment, not through lack of effort on my part. Everywhere I turned, I met people who said “No” to me. I didn’t know then that it would be another four years before someone said “Yes” to me. That someone was The Cellar Trust, the mental health charity I now work for.

Scrapheap
I’ve still got my mojo, my get-up-and-go,

still got staying power, can still put on a show

I’ve got a lot to offer but society says no

I’m on the scrapheap

There’s fire in my belly, my mind’s sharp as a don’s

I’m filthy rich in talent but there’s nothing here to spend it on

where promises get broken, not worth the breath they’re spoken on

I’m on the scrapheap,

top of the scrapheap

Call out the doctor, helicopter, paramedic

it’s pandemic – scrapheap!

My forty years’ experience doesn’t count at all

This culture of incompetence drives me up the wall

No pick-me-up no safety net, I’m heading for a fall

I’m on the scrapheap

My five years’ volunteering isn’t worth zip

The nurse is doing admin, the doctor is off sick

The counsellor needs counselling but he’s bottom of the waiting list

I’m on the scrapheap,

top of the scrapheap

It’s getting deeper and steeper

it’s one great big heap of people on the scrapheap!

I’ve still got all me marbles, you can have one, s’goin’ spare

I’ve just about got all me teeth and a bushy head of hair

but these days it takes a lot to laugh and not much to despair

I’m on the scrapheap

I’m on the scrapheap,

top of the scrapheap

It’s getting deeper and steeper

it’s one great big heap of people on the scrapheap!

Music and lyric by Dave Gill