Lyric discussion by slam 

Cover art for Martin lyrics by Tom Robinson Band, The

Some of the British slang used in the song includes:

"mush" -- face

"six of the best" -- corporal punishment; six strokes with a cane

"nick" -- to steal

"motors" -- cars (from "motor car")

"Black Maria" -- a police van

"XJ6" -- Jaguar XJ6, an expensive car

"nicked" -- arrested

"Borstal" -- a type of youth detention center, prison for young offenders

"taking and driving away" -- legal term for stealing a car; UK equivalent of the US 'grand theft auto'

"the boys in blue" -- police

"racing mags" -- magazines about horse-racing

"ciggies" -- "cigarettes"

"booze" -- "alcohol"

"remand home" -- a detention home for young offenders; in this case, it probably refers to a halfway house between Borstal and release into the community

"Nan" -- grandmother

"telly" -- television

Song Meaning