From the recording A Child
I was in New York back in 1970 and I saw the saddest thing. A little boy was sitting on his porch, all dressed up, a hand full of balloons and tears staining his cheeks. I stopped to ask him what was wrong and he told me it was his birthday and his mom had invited all the kids from his class over for a party, but no one had come.
Lyrics
A Child
Words and Music by Matthew Temple
Are you sad, tell me why
Perhaps I to would like to cry
I can’t seem to smile when I see a child this way
It hurts me so to watch you sitting on the sidewalk all alone
With nowhere to go but not wantin’ to go home
So there you stay playin’ football or hopscotch in your mind
Doing anything to help you pass the time
Can’t you see little boy when I was young
I sat alone and played games meant for two
When there was only one
I have cried the many tears you cry today
I fear that’s a hurt that will never pass away
Did you go down to the park today to watch the children play
Pretending that a friend had asked if you would stay
When the chose up teams for baseball did they wait till last to call your name
I remember being treated very much the same
Can’t you see little boy when I was young
I sat alone and played games meant for two
When there was only one
I have cried the many tears you cry today
The cruelty of children will never pass away
Are you sad, tell me why
Perhaps I to would like to cry
I can’t seem to smile when I see a child this way
It hurts me so to watch you sitting on the sidewalk all alone
With nowhere to go but not wantin’ to go home
© Matthew Temple 1970