I was a fire starter, yeah a maverick child.
Couldn't get no faster, hey man I was wild.

Drove down the motorway all the way in the red.
I had so little use for it, that I set light to my bed
And laughed as it burned
Cos it quite soon had turned
The ceiling into total black
And I knew there was no turning back.

There simply wasn't the time to waste on sleep
With the reputation and the hours I chose to keep
I knew it was getting worse
The day I stole a hearse
And put a bed in the back, not for a rest
But to lay down the ladies when they undressed.

I was a fire starter, yeah a maverick child.
Couldn't get no faster, hey man I was wild.

I was out every night, a new girl every day.
I treated them right, but never listened to what they'd say.
I'd blow a ton on a flutter
Then throw up in the gutter.
I just didn't think I could lose
When I was fully tanked up on booze.

Then drink seemed to wane and I started on weed.
It became quite a habit that I needed to feed.
So then the idea of stealing
Became kind of appealing.
Before I knew what had happened, I was stealing to eat.
I was stealing for a hit, and I was quick on my feet.

I was a fire starter, yeah a maverick child.
Couldn't get no faster, hey man I was wild.

I got into trouble when I picked up another habit.
I'd see the most expensive car and just have to have it.
It all seemed such great fun.
Frightened faces watching my gun.
I caused terror as the news spread of my daring.
By then I was riding the thrill, and way past caring.

When you all read the report that's filed,
You won't believe that I stood and smiled
As they shot me down
On the other side of town.
Just one bullet spilled my blood
And nipped my rampage in the bud.

I was a fire starter, yeah a maverick child.
Couldn't get no faster, hey man I was wild.