These words are transcribed without permission the way they appear in the "The Queen Is Dead" album. Additions to the printed lyrics are in darker text while omissions are striken out.

Frankly, Mr Shankly, this position I've held
it pays my way, but and it corrodes my soul
I want to leave, you will not miss me
I want to go down in musical history

Frankly, Mr Shankly, I'm a sickening wreck ¹
I've got the 21st Century breathing down my neck
I must move fast, you understand me ²
I want to go down in celluloid history
Mr. Shankly

Fame, Fame, fatal Fame
it can play hideous tricks on the brain
but still I'd rather be Famous
than righteous or holy, any day, any day, any day

but sometimes I'd feel more fulfilled
making Christmas cards with the mentally ill
I want to Live and I want to Love
I want to catch something that I might be ashamed of ³

Frankly, Mr Shankly, this position I've held
it pays my way and it corrodes my soul
oh, I didn't realise that you wrote poetry
(I didn't realise you wrote such bloody awful poetry)
Mr. Shankly

Frankly, Mr Shankly, since you ask
you are a flatulent pain the arse
I do not mean to be so rude
but still, I must speak frankly, Mr Shankly
Oh, give us money ⁴

 

² In live performances of the song on the "The Queen Is Dead" tour Morrissey occasionally sang "I must move fast, so you understand me?"

³ Now and then in live performances from late 1985, Morrissey sang this line as "I want to do something that I might be ashamed of". This is what he used to sing in early studio takes of this song, including the one featuring trumpet which has leaked to fans but has yet to be officially released.

⁴ This line is not found in the early studio takes of the song, including the one featuring trumpet which has leaked to fans but has yet to be officially released.

Quotes

"Yes... fame, fame, fatal fame can play hideous tricks on the brain. It really is so odd, and I think I've said this before - God I suddenly sounded like Roy Hattersly - when one reaches so painfully for something and suddenly it's flooding over one's body, there is pain in the pleasure. Don't get me wrong, I still want it, and I still need it but... Even though you can receive 500 letters from people who will say that the record made me feel completely alive - suddenly doing something remarkably simple like making a candle can seem more intriguing in a perverted sense than writing another song. But what is anything without pain?"
- Morrissey on "Frankly Mr Shankly", New Musical Express, 7 June 1986