Malvina Reynolds: Song Lyrics and Poems  

Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1965 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1993. In the Notes and Comments to her songbook The Muse of Parker Street Malvina writes: "Reverend Stephen Fritchman, of the First Unitarian Church in Los Angeles, gave one of his great sermons, 'The Fine Art of Failing,' in January 1964. Bud has distributed hundreds of copies, and I have done what I can to spread the message in this song. The ideas are Fritchman's, the wording is mine. For those that are put out by cuss-words, I'm sorry about the phrase in this, but that is the way the song wanted to be."

I don't mind failing in this world,
I don't mind failing in this world,
Don't mind wearing the ragged britches
'Cause those who succeed are the sons of bitches,
I don't mind failing in this world.

I don't mind failing in this world,
I don't mind failing in this world,
I'll stay down with the raggedy crew,
'Cause getting up there means stepping on you, so
I don't mind failing in this world.

I don't mind failing in this world,
I don't mind failing in this world,
Somebody else's definition
Isn't going to measure my soul's condition,
I don't mind failing in this world.

I don't mind failing in this world,
I don't mind failing in this world,
Never mind the custom suits,
The gentle hearts wear the dusty boots, so
I don't mind failing in this world.

I don't mind failing in this world,
I don't mind failing in this world,
Some people ride in a car so fine
While others walk on a picket line, so
I don't mind failing in this world.

I don't mind failing in this world,
I don't mind failing in this world,
Don't mind wearing the ragged britches
'Cause those who succeed are the sons of bitches,
I don't mind failing in this world.

Malvina Reynolds songbook(s) in which the music to this song appears:
---- The Muse of Parker Street

Other place(s) where the music to this song appears:
---- Broadside No. 60 (15 July 1965)
---- Broadside: Songs of Our Times..., Vol. 2 (New York: Oak Publications, 1968), p. 50

Malvina Reynolds recording(s) on which this song is performed:
---- Malvina Reynolds Sings the Truth
---- Malvina Reynolds...Sings the Truth (2008)