Lyrics

what did you learn in 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 be 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

Song details

Artist: ian dury