Now I Know My Place

I was pushed down and I scraped a fourth-grade knee (A shadow on the playground) I jumped up, kicking and swearing and screaming (At a shadow that laughed loud) But Stephen Chance was big He swung and caught me in the teeth Crying so hard I couldn't speak And I swear the teachers were smiling Shaking their heads like "If you can't fight back Then you don't deserve to be saved" Well, wipe that smile off your face, please Now I know my place She was chewing me out for reading instead of planning (Our rent would be up soon) I kept my mouth shut, I kept my drawings in hiding (Under the chair in the front room) But Sarah Quick was straight And she abandoned my fate "Perhaps your daydream dolls can pay your rent," she said "Tomorrow's already the tenth" Now I'm cap in hand "Can I please work here And I promise I won't be late" Well hide that look on your face, please Now I know my place I know my place now and I don't need reminding That the world is a spider and its web is tightening Shake your act up, be a real go-getter I don't need you to spell it out for me All my days spent lost in a cubicle maze Well now I know that I'm a disgrace Now I know my place