O'Connell was a steel worker, bluecollar man he was labelled

Been 21 years on the Yarrows Dock slinging welding cable

He married a good Catholic girl at the age of 21

By the time he reached 28, she'd borne seven young



He put in hours of overtime to keep food on the table

Under the strain of an achin' back did all that he was able

Laboured on the Otter, ran beads on the B.C. Ferries

He'd never been for lack of work since he left County Kerry



There's got to be another way, there's got to be another way

With mouths to feed and bills to pay

And I'm searching...

...for that tiny ray of hope



Well you can't afford to spend much if haven't got a dime

So an honest gamble buys a dream on Lotto 6/49

When you've got two chances, slim and none, the odds aren't in your favor

With the luck of the Irish in your blood, you're one up on your neighbor



Every Wednesday's Winsday as he searches through The Sun

To find the winning numbers in the hopes that he has won

Through the din of the canteen he walks towards the door

With a winner in his pocket, he'll punch the clock no more



There's got to be another way, there's got to be another way

With mouths to feed and bills to pay

And I'm searching...

...for that tiny ray of hope