My father was a salesman
My mother was a saint
Working every God-given minute
To make enough to pay the rent

The war was nearly over
The peace would soon begin
Living on the edge of the city
When the roads were going in

They couldn't take any more (they couldn't take any more)
But they had to (carry on)
They couldn't take any more (they couldn't take any more)
But they had to 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 all right

The only entertainment a piano and a radio
Hot tea and 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 any more (they couldn't take any more)
But they had to (carry on)
They couldn't take any more (they couldn't take any more)
But they had to carry on
Carry on