Lyrics

Those schoolgirl days of telling tales and biting nails are gone
But in my mind I know they will still live on and on
But how do you thank someone
Who has taken you from crayons to perfume?

It isn't easy but I'll try

If you wanted the sky
I would write across the sky in letters
That would soar a thousand feet high
To Sir, with love

The time has come for closing books and long last looks must end
And as I leave I know that I am leaving my best friend
A friend who taught me right from wrong
And weak from strong that's a lot to learn

What, what can I give you in return

If you wanted the moon
I would try to make a start
But I would rather you let me give my heart
To Sir, with love

Those awkward years have hurried by, why do they fly away?
Why is it Sir, children grow up to be people some day?
What takes the place of climbing trees
And dirty knees in the world outside?

If you wanted the world I'd surround it with a wall
I'd scrawl these words with letters ten feet tall
To Sir, with love

Trivia

• The last verse and chorus are sometimes omitted from the song, but not in the 1993 MTV Unplugged performance with Lulu.

Appearances

• On After the Flood.
• On the compilation Welcome To the Minority: The A&M Years 1988–1991.