[Verse 1]
Well the mist was lifting from Rosbury Tops, and the moors were cold and green
And the driver swore there’d be no stoppin as he made for the A19
And in the borough, lads and lasses were sleeping safe and still
When Ghafoor Hussain hit the road, with a million mouths to fill

[Chorus]
It’s beans and rice, and rice and beans
And a hand when you fall
For there’s a friendly face, a better place
And a future for us all

[Verse 2]
He couldn’t bear the lads and lasses’ faces on the tv screens
As they drowned and froze in hateful places with nothing but their dreams
So he bought a bus, and he filled it up with beans and rice and tea
And on a winter’s morn he he headed south and crossed over the sea

[Chorus]
It’s beans and rice, and rice and beans
And a hand when you fall
For there’s a friendly face, a better place
And a future for us all

[Verse 3]
Now in Dunkirk we remember yet the soldiers on the sand
800 ships we’ll not forget, that came to lend a hand
But here comes one more vessel now, across the angry sea
To serve 3,000 meals a day, and 10,000 cups of tea
[Chorus]
It’s beans and rice, and rice and beans
And a hand when you fall
For there’s a friendly face, a better place
And a future for us all

[Verse 4]
Now some have stared into his face and wondered if he’s mad
But he knows he’d be in their place, if it weren’t for the chance he had
And the lads and lasses’ hopeful faces are what drives him on
So he’s the Ghafoor and his Bus, and a better world to come

[Chorus]
It’s beans and rice, and rice and beans
And a hand when you fall
For there’s a friendly face, a better place
And a future for us all

[Verse 5]
Well the mist was lifting from Rosbury Tops, and the moors were cold and green
And the driver swore there’d be no stoppin as he made for the A19
And in the borough, lads and lasses were sleeping safe and still
When Ghafoor Hussain hit the road, with a million mouths to fill

[Chorus]
It’s beans and rice, and rice and beans
And a hand when you fall
For there’s a friendly face, a better place
And a future for us all
[Chorus]
It’s beans and rice, and rice and beans
And a hand when you fall
For there’s a friendly face, a better place
And a future for us all

[Outro]
For there’s a friendly face, a better place
And a future for us all