[Verse 1]
Kettle on at seven
Before the radio
Strong tea
Splash of milk
That’s the way it goes
Shoes shined on Sunday
Brolly furled up tight
Dressed for rain
That never comes
Usually right
[Chorus]
Mustn’t grumble
Mustn’t fuss
Cheers to the driver
Of the number nine bus
Stiff upper lip
Teacup in hand
The quintessential
Englishman
[Verse 2]
A triumph?
“Not bad, really”
A disaster?
“Rather grim”
“I’m sure it’s fine”
It isn’t fine
Not fine
To him
[Chorus]
Mustn’t grumble
Mustn’t fuss
Cheers to the driver
Of the number nine bus
Stiff upper lip
Teacup in hand
The quintessential
Englishman
[Verse 3]
Pint of bitter
Dog by the fire
Sunday roast
Old church spire
Cricket on the wireless
Five whole days
Nobody wins
Still he stays
[Bridge]
Earth and water
Air and fire
Boil him down
Like the alchemists
Find the fifth
The purest part
Quintessentially
An English heart
[Verse 4]
Lights go out
Folk begin to shout
Kettle on
“Right then”
Sorts it out
Changes your tyre
In the pouring rain
Tells no one
Goes home again
[Final Chorus]
Mustn’t grumble
Mustn’t fuss
Cheers to the driver
Of the number nine bus
Grey sky
Could be worse
Folds his paper
Hums a verse
Stiff upper lip
Teacup in hand
The quintessential
Englishman
[Outro]
Quintessentially
Englishman
Right then.
Lyrics Michael Forty
Voice Michael Forty