The changing of the guard is part of our tradition But now we find it's been applied to us We're had to sell our stately homes to pay Our debts and taxes And no - one can afford a chauffeur driven Rolls If we ever get invited to the palace Then we'll all go there by bus The changing of the guard, we used to be respected As members of the aristocracy The Earl of Windhamere has raised the mortgage on his mansion And now he's paying back at thirty pound a week Which he makes on showing people round the manor For a half a dollar fee Can't you see the way things use to be Life was better then Remember when we lived like Lords and Ladies and gentlemen The changing of the guard, we made our sacrifices We haven't got a butler or a maid Lord Fitzcrumb has got a son who's working As a waiter Picking up the tips he earns enough to pay his rent Lady Londonare has hocked the' e family silver And the money's all been spent The changing of the guard presents A different picture To when Britannia used to rule the waves Lady Annabelle Barley is a famous belly dancer And not because she comes from a navel family If our ancestors could see the way we're living They'd be turning in their graves Can't you see the way things use to be Life was better then Remember when we lived like Lords and Ladies and gentlemen