Lyrics

A neighbour accused me of larceny My poor Dad to the jail delivered me All this over a hen and her eggs I wish I'd never mislaid them Hmmm Hmmm He walked me as far as the guard post It was the first time he'd ever hugged me "Be a man and just keep your head down You've got to let go of me now" Hmmm Hmmm I was placed in chains My legs gave out My legs gave out The jailer picked me up He slappеd my face and helped mе walk the stair When first I went in the dungeon I was surrounded by silhouettes I was met with the most ungodly stink I fainted at the sheer taste of it Hmmm Hmmm I came around to discover My feet were unshod and my scarf bestole An old crone hissed through a gum full of puss "That's garnish lad and pay you must" Hmmm Hmmm I curled into a ball To hide my tears To hide my tears Then began to shake Before I realised I'd lost control From every side there rung laughter The calf was lamed and the wolves were circling At first bite I leapt from the floor And cracked a shadow in the jaw Hmmm Hmmm There rose a voice from the gloomy depths "Silence your wagging and give the boy a rest Mark these words keep your devils locked within For I'll castrate the one that goes to him" Hmmm Hmmm I was left alone To find my own Few inches of damp stone Gave myself to sleep And when I awoke the world was still rolling away In cold light of day I surveyed the scene A squalor more baleful than I had ever seen Ageless bone bags agog in their own mess Bodies maggot riddled at caress Hmmm Hmmm My unofficial protector Showed me the rudiments of gambling with pebbles And taught me the names of the birds, trees and flowers And shared his warmth through evil hour Hmmm Hmmm I remember you Whoever you are Whoever you are I'll hold you in my heart And never forget the part you played in my story This morning they put me in the pillory Who should appear but the very same neighbour that fingered me She climbs the stage and lifts a jug of water to my lips Then walks me back home to my father Hmmm Hmmm It hasn't been very easy To sing you this song, though I did my best And now we are reaching the end of my refrain Listen, we can start again