She left the friends she had in school
Slipped into the typing pool
Gave herself up to dictation
Barely sixteen years of age
Taking home a working wage
An envelope of expectation

He was older
He had a car
The things he told her
Made her feel the part

She took a test when she was late
Moved into the new estate
Fingers wag behind the curtains

She started out with intentions
But life's demands were unrelenting
To say that words are impotent
Is a mouthful in itself, but it fits the bill

Resorting to a family phrase
Just grin and bear it
Just grin and bear it

She cut her hair and stayed at home
Did the shopping on her own
Subsidized by half price tokens
Consoled herself with books on love
Damp creeps in on the walls above
The shower works when it's not broken

He put paid
To her trust
Having fun
With boys and toys of lust

And now she's better on her own
With the soaps and woman's own
It's been an adult education
And he reflects on what he's lost
Took a gamble, paid the cost
Sees the kids at graduations

Resorting to a family phrase
Just grin and bear it
Just grin and bear it
Just grin and bear it
Just grin and bear it