Y’know when you’re right you’re right. The lyrics do indeed say “this”

However I’m going to lump it in with Blinded by the Light because it’s definitely sang “these” just like Manfred sang “douche” instead of deuce.

Edit: After relistening to the song she actually does say “this” she simply expresses the /ee/ version of the i in “this” so it sounds like “theeeeis”

To most people not paying attention it would sound like “these” but upon closer inspection she is actually saying “this”