The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #93030 Message #1785610
Posted By: SharonA
17-Jul-06 - 12:27 PM
Thread Name: Harry Chapin
Subject: Lyr Add: THE SHORTEST STORY (Harry Chapin)
Captain Birdseye: The song you refer to is entitled "The Shortest Story", written in 1976 as part of his personal campaign to raise awareness about world hunger. Indeed it is a brilliant song...
THE SHORTEST STORY
I am born today, the sun burns its promise in my eyes; Mama strikes me and I draw a breath and cry. Above me a cloud softly tumbles through the sky; I am glad to be alive.
It is my seventh day, I taste the hunger and I cry; My brother and sister cling to Mama's side. She squeezes her breast, but it has nothing to provide; Someone weeps, I fall asleep.
It is twenty days today, Mama does not hold me anymore; I open my mouth but I am too weak to cry. Above me a bird slowly crawls across the sky; Why is there nothing now to do but die?