These lyrics appear to be a commentary on a disturbing and distressing situation involving a young boy who is experiencing abuse or neglect at the hands of his parents, particularly his father. Let's analyze the lyrics line by line:
"That young boy without a name I'd know his face"
The singer is familiar with the boy's face, suggesting they have observed him before.
"In this city the kid's my favorite"
The boy has caught the attention of the singer, perhaps due to his vulnerability or suffering.
"I've seen him I see him every day"
The singer frequently encounters this young boy.
"Seen him run outside looking for a place to hide from his father"
The boy is trying to escape from his father, implying that there may be some form of abuse or mistreatment happening at home.
"The kid half naked and said to myself 'Oh, what's the matter here?'"
The sight of the young boy in a vulnerable state prompts the singer to question what's happening to him.
"I'm tired of the excuses everybody uses, he's their kid I stay out of it"
The singer acknowledges that others are aware of the situation but choose to ignore it, possibly because they feel it's not their place to intervene.
"But who gave you the right to do this?"
The singer questions the authority of the boy's parents to subject him to such treatment.
"We live on Morgan Street"
The singer provides context about the location where this is happening.
"Just ten feet between and his mother, I never see her"
Despite the proximity of their homes, the singer rarely sees the boy's mother.
"But her screams and cussing, I hear them every day"
The mother's verbal abuse towards the boy is evident through her screaming and cursing.
"Threats like: 'If you don't mind I will beat on your behind'"
The lyrics describe one of the mother's threats, indicating a violent and abusive environment.
"'Slap you, slap you silly'"
Another example of a threat of physical violence towards the boy.
"Made me say, 'Oh, what's the matter here?'"
The singer is increasingly disturbed by what they witness and hears from the boy's home.
"I'm tired of the excuses everybody uses, he's your kid, do as you see fit"
The singer is critical of the excuses people make to justify the parents' actions, emphasizing that it's their responsibility to care for their child.
"But get this through that I don't approve of what you did to your own flesh and blood"
The singer strongly disapproves of the abuse inflicted on the boy by his parents.
"'If you don't sit on this chair straight, I'll take this belt from around my waist and don't think that I won't use it!'"
The lyrics reveal a particularly harsh threat from the father, suggesting the use of physical punishment.
"Answer me and take your time, what could be the awful crime he could do at such young an age?"
The singer questions what the young boy could have possibly done to deserve such mistreatment.
"If I'm the only witness to your madness offer me some words to balance out what I see and what I hear"
The singer is asking for an explanation or justification from the parents to make sense of the abuse they observe.
"All these cold and rude things that you do I suppose you do because he belongs to you"
The singer suggests that the parents' actions may stem from a sense of ownership or entitlement over the boy.
"And instead of love, the feel of warmth you've given him these cuts and sores won't heal with time or age"
The singer implies that the parents are failing to provide the love and care the boy needs, leading to emotional and physical wounds that won't heal easily.
"And I want to say, I want to say 'What's the matter here?'"
The singer wants to speak out and question the abuse but is hesitant or afraid to do so.
"But I don't dare say 'What's the matter here?'"
The lyrics conclude with the singer's reluctance to confront the situation directly, perhaps out of fear or uncertainty about the consequences.
Overall, these lyrics highlight a disturbing and heartbreaking situation of child abuse and neglect, with the singer expressing a sense of helplessness and frustration in the face of the suffering endured by the young boy. The lyrics call attention to the need for intervention and empathy in such situations.
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