The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #16052   Message #632175
Posted By: SharonA
21-Jan-02 - 10:16 AM
Thread Name: The Saddest Song of All--Part II
Subject: Lyr Add: THE SHORTEST STORY (Harry Chapin)
For me, the saddest song is "The Shortest Story" by Harry Chapin, who fought hard against world hunger. It's the story of what happens during a famine:

THE SHORTEST STORY
by Harry Chapin

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?


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