The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"THEY WILL SAY"

OF MY CITY THE WORST THAT MEN WILL SAY IS THIS:
YOU TOOK LITTLE CHILDREN AWAY FROM THE SUN AND THE DEW,
AND THE GLIMMERS THAT PLAYED IN THE GRASS/UNDER THE GREAT
SKY AND THE RECKLESS RAIN/YOU PUT THEM BETWEEN WALLS TO
WORK/SMOTHERED AND BROKEN FOR BREAD AND WAGES/TO EAT DUST
IN THEIR THROATS AND DIE EMPTY HEARTED/FOR A LITTLE
HANDFUL OF PAY ON A FEW SATURDAY NIGHTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-08-1985