Old Boy

She'd had him only seven years when they kissed goodbye
She packed him with his leather trunk, and hid behind a smile
Left him on the doorstep with the chaplain and his wife
Who told him there was no reason to miss his mummy or his life

She watched him in the mirror as the driver pulled away
Wouldn't see her baby boy for nearly forty days
They pulled him up and led him inside their gothic door
She knew that he'd be in for it, for eleven years or more

Oh, young boy, come take up your crown
Oh, young boy, you're one of us now
Old boy, you're made for life

He soon forgets to tend to the knot that's in his heart
The aching yawn that asks his Mama to play her part
In soothing him, and loving him and kissing him to sleep
Instead he learns to hide his tears and and bury feelings deep

And so a man of character apparently is born
With dashing suit of pride that is permanently worn
An empty heart, a braying laugh, confidence and charm
And a smattering of Latin written on his coat of arms.

Oh boy, young boy, come take up your crown
Oh, young boy, you're one of us now
Old boy, you're made for life

The unicorn, the lion, they need their Flashman boys
To protect the kingdom and all her foolish ways
They'll give him all the things he'd need a gilded life to live
For after all his mother had nothing left to give

Oh boy, young boy, come take up your crown
Oh, young boy, you're one of us now
Oh, young boy, move up in the world
Oh, young boy, it's what you deserve
Old boy, you're made for life