The song expresses different emotions through the day - tiredness in the morning, anger that the shoemaker is sleeping instead of working, worry about finishing shoes on time, and sadness about lacking coats while working hard all day. In the end, happiness comes from having money and time to play.

1. “OH DEAR, OH DEAR” SONG
Oh, dear. Oh, dear.
I’m tired today.
I want to sleep
All night and day.
Oh, dear. Oh, dear.
I’m angry today.
The shoemaker’s sleeping
He’s not working today.
Oh, dear. Oh, dear.
I’m worried today.
How can I finish
These shoes in a day?

2. Oh, dear. Oh, dear.
We’re sad today.
We’ve got no coats.
But we work all day long.
Oh, yes. Oh, yes.
We’re happy today.
We’ve got lots of money
And time to play.