- Published on
A Poor Children's Ferryman
- Authors
- Name
- Lorselq
- @lorselq
The Lyrics
The city has its arms
held open far and wide
for buildings steel and wet cement
but not the hearts inside
Money feels so hard and heavy
when our hands and mouths are empty
so what’s the harm in leaving
just a little weight outside?
Cold nights
are naught but a heavy shroud
for children
lost in the streets but never found
I will
carry them past the starlit pier
lie still
no one here will miss you, dear.
Ever wonder what could be?
Never work and always playing
Under rainbows ‘cross the stars
Never sleep we’re always dreaming
Chasing whispers through the breeze
laughter echoes through the forest
Thank you mister for this kindness
We swear to leave our past behind us
The factories fill with children
so hot their skin is crying
the parents wept and sent them there
regret and greed combined
But the soot is better for you
than to call a road a home
so thankful are those children that
they’re not out on their own
And the rich amass their fortunes
while the people are deprived
they see the kids as money and
stack coins upon their eyes
The city buys up make-believe
for a pittance low—
if away with dreams, the city’s soul:
it, too, must go
They cry
In alleys ‘fore they quit their breath
Am I
Saving souls or stealing what’s left?
We fly
Away from the city’s roar
But why
Do their smiles feel like war?
Take up swords against the pirates
Jump aboard and sneak behind them
Silly croc with the ticktock snap
Chasing you down like a tasty snack
Find the treasure open the chest
Throw a party and never rest
Thank you mum and thank you dad for
throwing us out we’ll never come back.
Commentary
I actually wrote this in 2023, somewhere in November and December, as part of a song—the first one I have managed to write and produce to relative completion! While I'm really proud of the lyrics, I'm less proud of the music in its current state (I have very specific need of a group of children to sing two parts of the song). Otherwise, I think it's solid. Either way, until further notice, the lyrics stand alone.