[Verse 1]
London's burning, London's burning
Fetch the engines, there's none left
London's burning, there's no learning here
It's just mindless, pointless theft

[Pre-Chorus]
And call them home, secretary, call those children home
The police budget cut a little too close to the bone
And we will not tolerate behaviour of this violent sort
It's just not enough to cut one summer holiday short

[Chorus]
I'm none the wiser to what went through people's heads
As they donned their hoods and visors and tore London town to shreds
And I'm called a sympathiser 'cause I have the cheek to ask
What makes girls and boys decide to burn their city in a mask?
What makes girls and boys decide to burn their city in a mask?

[Verse 2]
London's burning, London's burning
Call the coppers, there's none left
London's burning, we're not for turning here
It's just thuggery and theft

[Pre-Chorus]
And call them home, secretary, call those children home
The police budget cut a little too close to the bone
And we will not tolerate behaviour of this violent sort
It's just not enough to cut one summer holiday short
[Chorus]
I'm none the wiser to what went through people's heads
As they donned their hoods and visors and tore London town to shreds
And I'm called a sympathiser when I have the cheek to ask
What makes girls and boys decide to burn their city in a mask?
What makes girls and boys decide to burn their city in a mask?

[Bridge]
And I guess that Britain was broken long before Britain was broke
And I'm told there is no context to a city lane in smoke
No politics to a youth devoid of empathy and hope
Am I only the one getting the joke?

[Chorus]
I'm none the wiser to what went through people's heads
As they donned their hoods and visors and tore London town to shreds
And I'm called a sympathiser 'cause I have the cheek to ask
What makes girls and boys decide to burn their cities in a mask?
What makes girls and boys decide to burn their cities in a mask?