[Verse 1]
Shane does say
On a tired summer day
"Mom and Dad, I'd like to make a change
Or I'll slip away"

[Verse 2]
Vaudeville School Days
On the TV set does play
Something clicks inside his little brain
The answer's plain

[Chorus]
The student becomes the teacher
(Wanna go to school)
And the teacher becomes the principal
(Let me go to school)
And the principal dies
And everybody cries
(Wanna go, let me go)
They remember him alive, you see
(Wanna go to school)
I want that for me

[Verse 3]
Dad does say
"Well, hey kid, there's just no way
Don't you ever turn on channel five
Hey, man, we want you alive
[Verse 4]
"Life's not fair
These kids, they just don't care
I'll never let you step foot in that place!
(Don't slip away)"

[Chorus]
And the student becomes the teacher
(Wanna go to school)
And the teacher becomes the principal
(Let me go to school)
And the principal dies
And everybody cries
(Wanna go, let me go)
They remember him alive, you see
(Wanna go to school)
I want that for me

[Bridge]
Oh, please believe me
I'm asking you to try
Life escapes me night and day
Well, I just can't stay

[Outro]
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah-ah