[Verse 1] Mr Skiffington woke up late Found his boots by the garden gate Pinned on a coat with a crooked seam Said, "I think I’ll join the team" He signed his name with a pencil stub Took one last look at the corner pub Mum said, "Boy, you sure?" He said, "I’m sure" [Pre-Chorus] Off to the yard Past the stone wall Heart going hard Trying not to stall He squared his shoulders Fixed his hat He heard the sergeant say "Walk like that" [Chorus] Mr Skiffington Mr Skiffington March, Mr Skiffington Don’t look back now Mr Skiffington Mr Skiffington Drum in your chest And your chin up proud [Verse 2] They handed him khaki, rough and new A name tag clipped to a threadbare blue He tied his bedroll, neat and tight Learned how to turn left, learned how to stand right Boots on gravel, dust on his cuff He kept his grin when the drills got rough One two three, they called his line He said, "I’m ready this time" [Pre-Chorus] Off to the yard Past the stone wall Heart going hard Trying not to stall He squared his shoulders Fixed his hat He heard the sergeant say "Walk like that" [Chorus] Mr Skiffington Mr Skiffington March, Mr Skiffington Don’t look back now Mr Skiffington Mr Skiffington Drum in your chest And your chin up proud [Bridge] When the bugle called He didn’t flinch He found his footing In a single inch Mum on the porch With a tear and a grin He raised two fingers Then stepped in [Final Chorus] Mr Skiffington Mr Skiffington March, Mr Skiffington Don’t look back now Mr Skiffington Mr Skiffington Drum in your chest And your chin up proud Mr Skiffington Mr Skiffington Off he goes Hear that crowd now
