Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Ian Dury and the Blockheads
What did you learn at school today? (Jack shit)
The minute the teacher turns away (That's it)
How many times were you truly intrigued? (Not any)
Is boredom a symptom of mental fatigue? (Not many)
When have you ever been top of the class? (Not once)
What will you do when you're out on your arse? (A dunce)
What are your prospects of doing quite well? (Too small)
And what will you have at the very last bell? (Fuck all)
You can't bear another's beauty, you can't emulate a grace
You can't filch another's mystery, occupy another's space
You can't do another's duty, or take a special place
In another person's history when they've sunk without a trace
What's the reward for being a berk? (A blank)
Thick as a plank and looking for work (What a wank)
What do you think of the Welfare State? (It's a fake)
What have they handed you on a plate? (The ache)
Have you considered how lucky you are? (Well shucks)
What do you think of the system so far? (It sucks)
Aren't you endowed with the patience of Job? (I wish)
Don't you feel ready to conquer the globe? (Oh fish)
You can't steal another's thunder, you can't fill a great divide
You can't steer another's fancy, you can't change another's side
Not undo another's blunder nor pretend another's pride
You can't offer necromancy till the final hope has died
I'm a second-class person citizen-wise
This is something I must recognise
It's not my place to make complaint
But am I happy? No, I ain't
I missed my chance when I was young
Now I live below the bottom rung
I was put on earth to discover my niche
Oh Lord, won't you make me Nouveau Riche?
You can't bear another's beauty, you can't emulate a grace
You can't filch another's mystery, occupy another's space
You can't do another's duty, or take a special place
In another person's history when they've sunk without a trace
You can't steal another's thunder, you can't fill a great divide
You can't steer another's fancy, you can't change another's side
Not undo another's blunder nor pretend another's pride
You can't offer necromancy till the final hope has died