English as a Second Language

I am learning English as a 2nd language
On the bus journey back home to my family
In the west end of this city
Where I was told that we could live quite safely

I am holding down 3 jobs
My children change form one shift to the next
My husband, he is a manual labourer
They work his fingers to the bone

We don't watch a lot of news on the television
Too much pain in the name of peaceful religion
I don't want my children to see the recording
Of the ruins of the city that their parents grew up in

We never have newspapers in the house
My husband refuses to pay to bring home lies
He says the less we know of what they think of us
The happier we'll be if we learn to live quiet

Oh but I know a coward when I see one
The men in their high tower, they call number 10
Safe in their city, secure in their money
Untouched by the struggles of their country

Now my children go by bastardised names
Shorthand versions that their school mates can say
But they're learning English so much quicker than me
They seem to have friends now, they come out of school happy

Isn't Cameron a family man?
How can his priorities be that much different from mine?
Doesn't Samantha wake in the middle of the night
With the same nightmares any other mother might?

Oh but I know a coward when I see one
The men in their high tower, they call number 10
Safe in their city, secure in their money
Untouched by the struggles of their country

Oh yes I can recognise a coward when I see one
My mama taught me exactly how to read them
And oh, mama, I could really use your council now

But we are here and we pay our taxes
And we work hard and our children, they will vote in your elections
So be wise

I am learning English as a 2nd language
But I am learning apathy, directly from your government