My Child

Hello, Mrs J. How are you?
Mrs J? Anything wrong?
I had it all worked out. With one more baby I coulda managed. But not with two!
The welfare have already been onto me
Twins? You’re expecting twins?
How quickly an idea planted can
Take root and grow into a plan
The thought conceived in this very room
Grew as surely as a seed in a mother’s womb
Give one to me. Please, Mrs Johnstone, please
Are y' that desperate to have a baby?
(sung)
Each day I look out from this window
I see him with his friends
I hear him call
I rush down, but as I fold my arms around him
He’s gone
Was he ever there at all?
I’ve dreamed of all the places I would take him
The games we’d play, the stories I would tell
The jokes we’d share, the clothing I would make him
I reach out, but as I do he fades away
If my child was raised in a palace like this one
He wouldn’t have to worry where his next meal was coming from
His clothing would be supplied by George Henry Lee
He’d have all his own toys
And a garden to play in
He could make too much noise
Without the neighbours complainin'
Silver trays to take meals on
A bike with both wheels on
Yes!
And he’d sleep every night
In a bed of his own
He wouldn’t get into fights
He’d leave matches alone
And you’d never find him
Effin' and blindin'
Never!
And when he grew up
He could never be told
To stand and queue up
For hours on end at the dole
He’d grow up to be
A credit to me!
(spoken)
To you?
Yes
But I would still be able to see him every day, wouldn’t I?
Oh, of course you would!
An' you’d look after him, wouldn’t y'?
(sung)
I’d keep him warm in the winter
And cool when it shines
I’d pull out his splinters
Without making him cry
I’d always be there
If his dream became a nightmare
My child
My child
My child