Up in the morning and out to school Mother says there'll be no work next year Qualifications once the Golden Rule Are now just pieces of paper Just because you're better than me Doesn't mean I'm lazy Just because you're going forwards Doesn't mean I'm going backwards If you look the part you'll get the job In last year's trousers and your old school shoes The truth is son, it's a buyer's market They can afford to pick and choose Just because you're better than me Doesn't mean I'm lazy Just because I dress like this Doesn't mean I'm a communist The factories are closing and the army's full I don't know what I'm going to do But I've come to see in the Land of the Free There's only a future for the chosen few Just because you're better than me Doesn't mean I'm lazy Just because you're going forwards Doesn't mean I'm going backwards At twenty one you're on top of the scrapheap At sixteen you were top of the class All they taught you at school Was how to be a good worker The system has failed you, don't fail yourself Just because you're better than me Doesn't mean I'm lazy Just because you're going forwards Doesn't mean I'm going backwards