Handbags & Gladrags

You may or may not have heard it.

An outstanding song to share with you.

It was written way back in the 1960s by a Mike d'Abo, the lead vocalist of british group Manfred Mann.

First written for a singer Chris Farlowe, the song became a bigger hit in the 70s when it was covered by Rod Stewart. Subsequent versions were produced, including the one for the recent BBC comedy series "The Office" and more recently by the Stereophonics, the rock band from Wales.

Anyone care to interpret the song? After 40 years, the message is not lost in today's world, I reckon. Here're the lyrics.

Ever seen a blind man cross the road
Trying to make the other side
Ever seen a young girl growing old
Trying to make herself a bride

So what becomes of you, my love
When they have finally stripped you of
The handbags and the gladrags
That your poor old granddad had to sweat to buy you

Once I was a young man
And all I thought I had to do was smile
You are still a young girl
And you bought everything in style

But once you think you're in you're out
'Cos you don't mean a single thing without
The handbags and the gladrags
That your poor old granddad had to sweat to buy you

Sing a song of six-pence for your sake
And take a bottle full of rye
Four and twenty blackbirds in a cake
And bake them all in a pie

They told me you missed school today
So what I suggest you just throw them all away
The handbags and the gladrags
That your poor old granddad had to sweat to buy you

They told me you missed school today
So I suggest you just throw them all away
The handbags and the gladrags
That your poor old granddad had to sweat to buy you

(Words by Michael d'Abo)