This is Mark Egerton me mate I used to stand at his gate always getting up late And it was my fate to meet this mate met him at Claremont Road Junior school Hes no fool, We used to lark about after school Yew tree high came next and we wasn’t vexed Scivin and tryin to keep out of trouble in our little bubble, with baggy trousers and a one step beyond, with madness in our ears there was no tears. In Moss Side we used to play for hours in showers From dawn till dusk it was a must The Moss side carnival happened every year lots of beer. people selling there gear There was riots a brewing and im not screwin Stealin and Thievin the moss was a breathin fire bright, the cars a light. Shootin, and lootin there was also Fun at Maine road, we weren’t old Crowds a buzzin no fussin and lots of cussin Runnin down tunnels, getin into troubles kippax end was with a friend. And I wont bend and boy did it pound to the city beat on the street feel the heat from the people on the street in the 70s and eighties they were the latest and greatest. Like the Eye of the tiger,thrill of the fight. And what a sight. We Played on the streets, race and chase with bikes, had lots of likes. commando grass, street football, kerby, keepy upy. Kick can, Knock and run it was lots of fun, Mind yer car mr And boy did we miss ye The mind yer car money We spent it on honey, sweets and treats space invader crisps, smack on the lips we played tricks jublies, bubblies, bangers, the lot, youve forgot we had black jacks, cola cubes, spangles the lot football cards you flicked at the wall what a ball fireworks, screamers, bangers galore and much more, you know the score we made dens with friends air raid shelters, they were belters, old derelict houses wore holy trousers what howlers, talkin shoes no booze. jubleys were dew and we shared a few god help you if you were last in the cue Lived off fresh air back then and then Dirt on our faces, we went places with ought traces cobbled alleyways with rubbish piled high clambering high to the sky we found porno mags amongst rags tried a few fags had a few gags no mobile phones, and “don’t be late”, your mum shouted at the gate, “back at ten” and then, from the telephone box on the street, you phone home from the piss smelling phone, a cut wire it’s a live wire it was enlightenin, not frightenin the things that we did when you were a kid So Your mum and dad had a green grocery shop On caythorpe street What A treat banged your ball on the street with your feet we did meet and greet and Nevs second hand shop Rubbish galore and drugs in store we knew the score We used to knock on his door A reggae band at the back of his shop Practised for hours in showers danced on streets with treats, in the summer heat loved the band Madness There was no sadness In those days of gladness Get to the chippy, Rons fish and chippy, Fish and Chips in newspaper print We were always skint Dandelion and burdock to wash it all down withought a frown. ran amock around town We flocked at your house to the sound of Madness it was gladness, this madness. You and your brothers Mike and Pete was always on heat on the street. give em a look and then a right hook, a dart in the face at pace. your house in the middle of the street, what a treat life at full beat no retreat there was Georges Barbers We played arcade for hours when there were showers Played Pool it was cool Messed about on broadfield baths roof, theres no proof. the irish gang used to rob lead off the roof they were thick in the head, no more dread Getting in trouble , divin, scivin, survivin We got into fights some nights and had some frights Under those heady street lights Moss Side the place you grew up The good old days, just a haze You did feats, and very few treats And then you grew up The Claremont pub Drinks in store, women and more. We got motorbikes and rode for hours In showers A job in the cinema with no car Bingo too it was tickety boo Then You worked at chemical drums, comical bums, Workin with the drums, with some bums. You stayed there for years, had a few tears Ups and downs, some frowns, with clowns promoted to driver got more than a fiver in the Teritorial army you must have been barmey in the army and your not smarmy You met Wendy your wife The love of your life Shes no trouble and strife You’ve gotta life With dean your keen To be a good dad And your glad You love the band Madness Man City through and through Lambrettas and cider You’re a truck driver too And theres more beside ya A footballer, a runner, a gunner Your no stunna Although Your grumpy and the road may be bumpy thats true , your An upstanding man true to your word haven’t you heard, your no turd a good man, a family man, an upstanding man And then theres me in your life, im no wife A total nutter and I don’t stutter when I say to you lets go to the pub have a few beers and say cheers we’ll put the world to rights, with no fights and you know it lights up the day when you say lets go for a drink to the best pub in Manchester you know what I mean don’t be mean, its all clean. Weatherspoons in town Its our local haunt Don’t look gaunt So Don’t wear a frown You should be wearing a crown And When we leave for the night And walk into the nightlife, Don’t forget We’ll do it over again And start again Cos I don’t regret the friend that I met So this is mark me mate A grumpy git But hes not shit so give us a smile we’ll laugh for a while and when we depart well start to reminis, of the good old days in the moss cos it was boss so the next time we meet itl be sweet and what a treat well have beers galore and lots more in store So that’s settled the score I’ll knock at yer door for more. Don’t be a bore.
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