95. Tubby Barlow Lyrics - Chumbawamba

Posed like swallows before a dive 

Five lanes, and on the left hand side 

Stands Tubby Barlow wet with fear 

Not quite sure what he's doing there 

On your marks, get set, and they're in 

Tubby's consumed by the urge to win 

Four are greased lightning, one is lard 

But Tubby's determined not to be left behind 

Ten years of being pushed around flash before his eyes 

Alone in the schoolyard eating his pride 

In third place as they reach the turn 

His arms ache and his chest burns 

Kids are cheering from the balcony 

Tubby's oblivious, all he can see 

Is that this is the moment to change his life 

By collecting a trophy on the other side 

Past Steven Clough and Kenny Grey 

"Mum, mum, I'm winning the race!" 

He opens his mouth and water floods in 

He's coughing, choking, panicking 

Down once, down twice, 'till someone screams 

"Sir, Tubby Barlow's drowning!" 

But Baz Wilson's already in 

Got his intermediate in life saving 

The captain of the football team 

Idol of every young girl's dream 

Drags Tubby towards the rope 

But Tubby's confused and grips his throat 

As both boys begin to skin 

"Sir, Baz Wilson's drowning!" 

Tubby opens his eyes for one last time 

Sees Baz flailing at his side 

Like Jesus after the resurrection 

Sees himself as Baz's salvation 

Grabs Baz, heads for the side 

"Chariots of Fire" playing in his mind 

Meanwhile Steven Clough gets first position 

But they're all watching Tubby save Baz Wilson 

Now Tubby lays like a whale on the shore 

Gasping and spewing like a real hero 

Like a real hero!