The Public School System

[Verse 1]
Long walks to the high school, across the railroad tracks
The early morning hours upon you, whether it was in rain or snow
(That's how it is)
Homeroom with the math teacher, the one you crushed on
In those daydreams in the library. But see lately, he is an old man now
(Over the years)
Count the seconds with linoleum tile
And pick up your day when the lunch lady smiles
But she doesn't know what's been going on
Yeah I had a bad day

[Chorus]
And you're not better than me, rich kid
And you're not better than me
And you're not better than me, rich kid
(humming) ... (*snap*)(*aaah*)

[Verse 2]
My locker in the east hallway, those sacred minutes to say a prayer before the test today
But Joe says that there is no God now
(That's how it is)
Cool kids in the parking lot. I heard that Joe just got a beat up old Ford pickup truck. Yeah, she struts her stuff with a certain savoir faire
(That's how it is, yeah)
And calm your nerves with cafeteria green
And draw up in the margins with your pencil
And we don't believe in the government
(Down with the man!)

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
Yeah, that's how I remember it. The public school system is
Burned into my memory still
Yeah, just over fifteen years ago
Lately, I heard that Joe's a construction man in Pennsylvania
I saw a picture of him fat and happy once
Old rumors and reflections past
And did you hear the one about the torrid affair
That the English teacher had with the librarian?
She never smiled with that sparkle again, yeah
Young love from a long time ago
Crushed by the years

[Chorus]