Mean Mister Mustard sleeps in the park
Shaves in the dark trying to save paper
Sleeps in a hole in the road
Saving up to buy some clothes
Keeps a ten-bob note up his nose
Such a mean old man
Such a mean old man
His sister Pam works in a shop
She never stops, she’s a go-getter
Takes him out to look at the queen
Only place that he’s ever been
Always shouts out something obscene
Such a dirty old man
Dirty old man
The Eccentric Character of Mean Mr. Mustard
“Mean Mr. Mustard” paints a vivid portrait of a miserly, eccentric man living on society’s fringes. The Beatles use concise, whimsical lyrics to highlight his peculiar habits—sleeping in the park, shaving in the dark, and hoarding money in unusual places. The character is both pitiful and comical, his frugality so extreme that it borders on absurdity. The mention of his sister Pam, a stark contrast as a driven shop worker, adds another layer to the story, suggesting how family dynamics can be shaped by individual quirks. The imagery throughout is sharp and memorable, inviting listeners to both laugh at and sympathize with Mr. Mustard’s odd existence.
Song Credits
Songwriters: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Release Year: 1969
Label: Apple Records