Texty: Housemartins. The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death.

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

She took them 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 a nervous laugh and cough
"Next time", she said, "I'll let those people choke"

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

People who grinned themselves to death
Smiled so much, they failed to take a 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 a nervous laugh and cough
And when they took her riches, it was sad

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

The people who grinned themselves to death
Smiled so much, they failed to take a breath
And even when their kids were starving
They all thought the queen was charming

The people who grinned themselves to death
Smiled so much, they failed to take a breath
And even when their kids were starving
They all thought the queen was charming

The people who grinned themselves to death
Smiled so much, they failed to take a breath
And even when their kids were starving
They all thought the queen was charming