Lyrics of 'School Song' by Matilda (The Musical)

[Hortensia]
Hoy, new kids!

[Children]
And so you think you're able
To survive this mess by being a prince or a princess?
You will soon see
There's no escaping tragedy

And even
If you put in heaps of effort
You're just wasting energy
'Cause your life, as you know it, is ancient history

I have suffered in this jail
Have been trapped inside this cage for ages
This living 'ell
But if I try, I can remember
Back before my life had ended
Before my happy days were over
Before I first heard the pealing of the bell

Like you, I was curious
So innocent, I asked a thousand questions
But unless you want to suffer, listen up and I will teach you
A thing or two

You listen here, my dear
You'll be punished so severely if you step out of line
And if you cry, it will be double
You should stay out of trouble
And remember to be extremely careful

[Lavender]
Why?

[Children]
Why?

[Prefect]
Why? Did you hear what we said?

[Children]
Just you wait for phys-ed

[Matilda]
What's phys-ed?

[Prefect]
Physical education
The Trunchbull's speciality

[Matilda]
Who are you?

[Prefect]
We're prefects
We're here to take you to class

[Matilda]
So, we're going to start learning?

[Prefect]
Oh, you'll start learning all right

[Lavender]
Great, I already know the alphabet

[Prefect]
You don't know the alphabet until we learn you the alphabet

[Children]
And so you think you're able
To survive this mess by being a prince or a princess?
You will soon see
There's no escaping tragedy

And even
If you put in heaps of effort
You're just wasting energy
'Cause your life, as you know it, is ancient history

I have suffered in this jail
Have been trapped inside this cage for ages
This living 'ell
But if I try, I can remember
Back before my life had ended
Before my happy days were over
Before I first heard the pealing of the bell

Like you, I was curious
So innocent, I asked a thousand questions
But unless you want to suffer, listen up and I will teach you
A thing or two

You listen here, my dear
You'll be punished so severely if you step out of line
And if you cry, it will be double
You should stay out of trouble
And remember to be extremely careful

[Lavender]
Why?

[Children]
Why?

[Prefect]
Why? Didn't you hear what we said?

[Miss Trunchbull]
I have become aware that some of you are not yet in class
Correct this
You have five seconds to comply

[Children and Miss Trunchbull]
A-B-C-D-E-F-G (five)
H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P (four)
Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X (three)
Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? (Two)

[Miss Honey]
Lavender, Matilda, inside, quick

[Miss Trunchbull]
One

[Hortensia]
Just you wait for phys-ed!