hope & glory

when i arrive eyes wide fired up

tried not to slide and let the side down

now the plane's on the ground

i'll find a good profession

it's 1957

i've come to the motherland to make a home to put my bed in

this weather does my head in

some people are less than kind i wish

mama was here so i could unwind

but i'm supposed to be the good news

so i lace up these hard black shoes

and look - more work

these streets were never paved with gold

they simply make my feet hurt

they just make my feet hurt

just a little money in my pocket and a little bit left for those i love

to have enough food on my table and a little bit more for those who call

and in this land of hope and glory

you'd think there's enough for us all

you'd think there's enough for us all

when i arrive eyes wide petrified

tried not to cry and let the side down

now the plane's on the ground

it's 20 years later

mama's in the arrival lounge

i take a few seconds to kiss her

then look around at what's happened to my home town

what's going on

but papa doesn't look too strong

rush home in a cab

windows up

now i hear dad cough: we gotta get in before they switch the lights and water off