Housemartins - The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death Lyrics

They smiled so much and waved their flags
As she saluted to the military band
Most of the people failed to see
she had a broken bottle in the other hand

And she took the by surprise
When she took them by the throat,
And said "My friend you re not allowed to vote"
But they shook it all off,
With the nervous laugh and cough,
"Next time", she said " I'll let those people choke"

Chorus:
People who grinned themselves to death
Smiled so much they failed to take breath
And even when their kids were starving
They all thought the queen was charming

She polished all upon the wall
And ran her hands right through her hair
So if the lady took the time to call
All the houses on the street would not compare

And she thought it really funny
That she hadn't any money
But those she looked up to, they had,
But they shook it all off
With the nervous laugh and cough,
and when they took their riches it was sad.

Chorus