Botija Maula

I was never a pretty boy, in school or high school
It's not like I was ugly either, I was just an average kid
I wasn't the genius of the class, nor the heartthrob of the beach
I wasn't the smart one who stays quiet, nor the handsome loudmouth
But at 14 years old when things are blue
The curious fireflies would light me up with their glow
And the girls liked my guitar and my long hair
And the flannel beret from the Maus store

But I was a tricky kid, (tricky) who backed down when it mattered (tricky)
Never followed through on anything, just talk and rock and roll
If the maidens came down like rain, I'd take them home
And like a piece of rough paper, ugh! I'd crumple up in a corner

From the school gate, walking to the corner
Chatting up the girls, I was quite the educator
I'd talk to them about the union, about Che and activism
Maintaining the respectable distance of a gentleman

The girls would look at me in case a kiss was coming
And I'd talk about the process and revolution
But if they got too close to me, cheek to cheek
My knees would tremble beneath my pants

(What a tricky kid), the old folks would shout
(Hold her hand, what a birdbrain, what a birdbrain
What a tricky kid, you got traumatized in church
Something like that is not to be dismissed, you have no forgiveness from God)

Navigating through the calendar, I discovered the science
The one who gains experience, boasts like a champion
Entangled between the wings and legs of princesses
You start losing your mind if you fight with love

Close enough to keep me distant
I'm dodging the mirrors in this dark alley
Lest the tricky kid answers me from the classroom
I'm still the same tricky kid with a failing heart

But what a tricky kid, the mirrors reply
(You'll grow old dodging love
But what a tricky kid), my relatives rant
Who knows, maybe suddenly I straighten up