It's a big town to walk across
There are-holes in your shoes
You can feel the mean streets stretching out
You're going down
With a bad case of the blues
You ask for some assistance
All you get is a loan
And advice to show initiative
Get on your bike
Gather your things and go
Out on your own
Out on your own
Sixteen years old
Nothing for you here
But out there is a brave new world
Be bold
Gather your things and go
The wind finally sets you down
No time to find your feet
The price of bread is still going up
You've got a room
That you can't afford to heat
You ask for some assistance
All you get is a loan
Then a letter saying this ain't your home
Your eight weeks are up
Gather your things and go
Out on your own
Out on your own
Sixteen years old
Never broke the law
You get treated like some criminal
Hounded down the road
Told to gather your things and go
You ask for some assistance
All you get is a loan
You already owe a fortune
And you'll never pay it back
So you gather your things and go
Out on your own
Out on your own
Sixteen years old
Youth is no defence
You're messing up the statistics
Don't bother to say hello
Just gather your things and go
