How come you get to be king then?

You wave from golden balconies and smile like we're old mates You shake a thousand working hands then vanish through the gates You open schools and hospitals with cameras in a ring And everyone politely asks what makes a man a king A ribbon cut, a speech well read, a slightly royal grin How come you get to be king then? How come you get the crown? We build the roads and pay the bills but you just swan around You say you're just a common bloke who does the common thing of men, But common blokes don't sit on thrones, so how come you're the king then? You tour the world for charity with banners in the breeze You donate bags of money back with well-rehearsed thank yous, please But if the purse was ours to start, it's curious don't you think? How generous a fellow seems returning what we drink Another plaque, another wave, another royal spin How come you get to be king then? How come you get the crown? We dig the coal and mend the rails while you just float around You say you're just like all of us, a normal sort of thing When normal blokes don't wear the robes, so how come you're the king then? You say it's ancient history, tradition, blood and name But if we picked the plumber's kid, would he not do the same? How come you get to be king then? How come you get the throne? We vote for every council seat but this one's carved in stone You call yourself a servant here, a humble sort of thing But servants rarely wear a crown, so how come you're the king? Your mommy was queen so you get to be king Well, that clears up everything