[Intro] (Instrumental — jangly guitars, light kit, bass walks in after 4 bars) [Verse 1] The pier's half-empty, tide's gone out You asked me why I ever left I said the usual, then looked away There's things this place just teaches best A13 running north like it always has Same chip shop, same dim lights I am twenty-seven and someone's girlfriend Not the kid who learned the bus routes by heart [Pre-Chorus] You laugh too loud at seaside things You weren't born to I laugh because I love you And you don't know what you don't know [Chorus] It's Southend in September Everything is nearly over I could stay until the last train Or I could leave before I notice It's Southend in September All of the summer is slipping away Hold my hand along the promenade And don't ask me until it's Sunday (ooh) [Verse 2] Mum used to buy us cones on the last day Before the school year took us back I'd eat mine looking at the water Like the sea could be talking smack You take a photo of the arcade sign The neon with a letter gone I don't say "I've got a thousand of those" I just smile and enjoy the fun [Pre-Chorus] You laugh too loud at seaside things You weren't born to I laugh because I love you And you don't know what you don't know [Chorus] It's Southend in September Everything is nearly over I could stay until the last train Or I could leave before I notice It's Southend in September All of the summer is slipping away Hold my hand along the promenade And don't ask me until it's Sunday (oohx2) [Bridge] I used to think leaving meant arriving Somewhere permanent, somewhere real I used to think this town was smaller Than the one I'd someday feel But the pier goes out the same distance And the tide comes back the same way And the girl I was at seventeen Would laugh at what I say She'd ask me if I'm happy I'd say "mostly, some days" She'd ask me where I'm living I'd point vaguely toward the haze (Time goes after ten years...) [Pause 5 secs, guitar string] pull [Final Chorus — with strings entering] It's Southend in September Everything is nearly over I could stay until the last train Or I could leave before I notice It's Southend in September All of the summer is slipping away Hold my hand along the promenade And don't ask me until Autumn falls (ooh) And don't ask me until Autumn falls (ooh) And don't ask me until Autumn falls (ooh) And don't ask me until Autumn falls (ooh) [Outro] (Instrumental — strings and guitars fade over 8 bars)
