The Latch-Key Kid

I am the Latch-Key Kid When I go home, no tea on the table I manage to make myself something to eat The best that I am able Mum and Dad at work till past eleven So I just sit and watch TV When they come home they go to bed They have no time for me At eight-thirty in the morning My dad gives me a lift to school He tells me to do as I’m told And not to play the fool The guy at the desk behind me Starts kicking my chair leg again I loudly express my opinion And I’m rewarded with getting the cane At lunchtime I sit in the canteen And open up my lunch box It contains a curled-up ham sandwich “Is that all you’ve got” the guy next to me mocks His lunch box is laden with sandwiches and crisps And a slice of homemade chocolate cake I really can’t remember The last time I saw my mum bake The school bell rings at three ‘o’ clock And we all make a mad dash for the door A bully pushes me over And I end up on the floor He looks down at me and says “Are you going to tell your mam”? If I stand up I’ll get knocked back down So I might as well stay where I am My books and homework are strewn on the floor And they get trampled underfoot Before the bully leaves I get a firm kick in the gut My school has zero tolerance for bullying But complaints are not effective If my parents report an incident They're accused of being over-protective Finally I get home After taking the longer route The bullies have stolen sweets from a timid new starter And they’re sharing out their loot I have my usual meal for tea A plate of beans on toast The best meal of my week Is when mum cooks a Sunday roast Later as I lay in bed I hear the front door slam I listen for the familiar sound Of dad arguing with mam Tomorrow is another day But for me every weekday's the same I am the latch-key kid But I know I’m not to blame