In My Tribe

Back of the bus
The sun-burnt seating scalds our teenaged thighs
Chuck a greasy if they get too close
This row’s reserved for the members of our tribe
Long skirts and longer socks pulled high
Braving insults, weathering the fights
We’re gonna be fine

Music drew us in like satellites
Compiling tapes with covers made by hand
We can tell if you are of our kind
The hem and hair show us if you’d understand
When we get out of this school, then we’ll give them what they’re due
We’re different from you

You can come inside if you’re dressed appropriately
Any colour, shape or size can be in my tribe
So give in
Let your mind go running
With the magic beat within
And tonight you’re something special when you’re in my tribe

In the back of the pub
Cigarette burns and the carpet Guinness-brown
We have a corner where we all hook up
The staff look good and the music’s far too loud

Next day when we go to work
Our ears are ringing and our clothes will stink of booze
The boss hates us but we can’t care less
We built our fate on half an hour’s snooze
The office comments are a bore:
“You’re not 16 anymore”
We’ve heard it before

It feels like growing up - we graduate from outcast to cool
Extreme is not enough in my tribe
Gather round
Let the wine flow free amongst the kindred souls you’ve found
And tonight
We’ll rip this town up - In my tribe