There are ladders up the buildings
On the streets downtown
Sixteenth Century architecture
Gets the locals down
Eyes to the future
The Heritage Board
Puts your history in the lock up
Banks the interest offshore

Well, it struck me that your reason
Sounded just like an admission
Come lie with me baby
We could start a new tradition
But a little bone of truth
Is at the heart of each denial
And the traders bring the corporation
Out in single-file

We could pack up the kids and just get the hell away
But I like the spit and shine so I guess I'll stay

You'll go forging your relations
With some partner overseas
And the sexy reshuffle
Will make you weak at the knees
And the cutest little bigot
Always gives those boys a laugh
You'll find a Cheeto shaped like Jesus
And then they'll want your autograph

We could pack up the kids and just get the hell away
From the mud on our feet and the games that they play
But I like the spit and shine so I guess I'll stay

Raise that flag to fallen kings
To England, oh England ,you sing
Shine, shine, shine the silver sea
The rats have learned to swim it seems to me

Work hard out in China
Learn to 'parler' with the natives
Those cheap Versace knock-offs
Darling aren't they just the greatest
Send the children on the gap year
To travel the Far East
Then settle down into retirement
In a bargain pad in Greece

We could pack up the kids and just get the hell away
From the mud on our feet and the games that they play
But I like the spit and shine so I guess I'll stay
I guess I'll stay