[Short Instrumental Intro] [Cold Open – Spoken] “Lift your chin.” “It is.” “Your collar.” “I know.” “And don’t lose the bus money.” “I won’t.” “That’s what you said Thursday.” [Verse 1] My cousin’s name is in the collar Crossed out once, then mine below Mum let the trousers down on Sunday Said, “Two more months if you don’t grow” Badge was hanging by one corner She fixed that while the water boiled Dad checked both shoes by the doorway Pressed one sole and shook his head Seven coins beside my breakfast One for later, six for the ride I put them deep inside my pocket Mum says, “Not with the pen this time.” [Hook] Borrowed uniform, collar too wide Old blue initials still inside Hem came down, badge went straight Bus at seven, bell at eight Borrowed uniform, Monday clean Two notebooks and one blue pen Teacher calls — I answer quick “Present, sir.” That’s all of it. [Verse 2] At break they’re buying something hot I say I ate before I came Truth is, I’m keeping one coin back The bus conductor never waits My maths book’s missing twenty pages So I share with the desk beside me Teacher writes up on the blackboard: “Geometry set. Bring one Friday.” I copy that beneath the homework Small enough to leave some space Then spend the afternoon pretending I forgot it on the page [Turnaround] At dinner Mum says, “School was fine?” “Yeah.” “Anything we need?” “No.” Dad keeps eating for a second. Then: “What do you need by Friday?” [Verse 3] Thursday night he gets in later Dust along the side of his shirt Puts a plastic bag beside me Says, “Check it. Make sure it works.” Ruler, compass, little protractor Pencil sharp enough to sting I ask him what the whole thing cost him He says, “Why? You selling it?” Mum laughs loud from by the doorway I say, “No, I’m keeping this.” Dad points straight at my school bag: “Good. Then put it in.” [Hook] Borrowed uniform, collar too wide Old blue initials still inside Hem came down, badge went straight Bus at seven, bell at eight Borrowed uniform, Friday clean Three notebooks and one blue pen Teacher calls — I answer quick “Present, sir.” That’s all of it. [Break – Half-Spoken] Next term they say we need new shoes. Mum looks down at mine. Dad looks down at his. Nobody says anything. Then Mum goes: “Eat your food.” [Final Hook] Borrowed uniform, collar too wide My name written under someone else’s inside Hem came down, badge went straight Bus at seven, bell at eight Borrowed uniform, still fits fine One more term — we’ve got the time Teacher calls — I answer quick “Present, sir.” Yeah. Present. [Outro – Instrumental / Spoken Ad-lib] “Bus money?” “Got it.” “Show me.” “…Mum.” “Show me.”
