I COME AND STAND AT EVERY DOOR
[Dead Little Girl of Hiroshima]
(words by Nazim Hikmet, English translation by Jeanette Turner)
I come and stand at every door,
But none can hear my silent tread.
I knock, and yet remain unseen,
For I am dead, for I am dead.
I'm only seven, though I died
In Hiroshima long ago.
I'm seven now as I was then -
When children die, they do not grow.
My hair was scorched by swirling flame;
My eyes grew dim, grew dim and blind.
Death came and turned my bones to dust,
And that was scattered by the wind.
I need no fruit, I need no rice.
I need no sweets, or even bread;
I ask for nothing for myself,
For I am dead, for I am dead.
All that I ask is that for peace
You fight today, you fight today,
So that the children of the world
May live and grow and laugh and play!
Original Turkish poem by Natzim Hikmet
English translation by Jeanette Turner
Music by James Waters ("The Great Silkie")
Adaptation by Pete Seeger (1962)
Text (c) 1966 by Stormking Music Inc.
Music (c) 1966 by Folk Legacy Records
Pete Seeger's Where Have All the Flowers Gone (p. 106) has two lines different:
I'm only seven, although I died
My eyes grew dim, my eyes grew blind.
Recorded by Baez
@war @child
filename[ HIROSHIM
SOF
CLICK TO PLAY | HIROSHIMA (DT Lyrics)
I come and stand at every door
Tho none can hear my silent tread
I come and knock yet remain unheard
For I am dead, for I am dead
I'm only seven tho I died
In Hiroshima long ago
I'm seven now as I was then
When children die they do not grow
My hair was scorched by swirling flame
My eyes grew dim, my eyes grew blind
Death came and turned my bones to dust
And they were scattered on the ground
I need no fruit, I need no rice
I need no sweets, nor even bread
I ask for nothing for myself
For I am dead, for I am dead
All I ask is that for peace
We work today, we work today
So that the children of the world
Can live and laugh and grow and play
Tune:Baez version of the Grey Silkie
Recorded by Baez
@war @child
filename[ HIROSHIM
SOF
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