From the recording Dukkha's Nemesis
BLIND started out a lot more singsongy folky, as I composed the initial lyrics sometime around 1968, when I was 10. Fast forward 40 years to our recording the evolved version, arranged by James and Adam, as a bluesy number with more sophisticated lyrics than the childhood version. And step back from the recording in 2008 nearly a decade and you have an in-between version of BLIND, caught on good ol' VHS at a local blues benefit to help stock Maine homeless shelters with needed supplies. The 1999 version, which you hear a piece of at the end of the CD, has then 14 year old James on trumpet, 11 year old Ali on the second verse, and 7 year old Gabe on the third verse. I will always like that version best - playing for a great cause and alongside all three of my talented kids.
Lyrics
There's a young boy
Who sits on the sidewalk
Nowhere to go
With noone to talk
The people race by
Driven by the bad clock
As he comforts himself
With his head in his hands
There's a young girl
See her walk down the street
With noone to play with
And nothing to eat
A hand-me-down dress
No shoes on her feel
Lord, someone give her a hand
Chorus: And isn't it sad
We stiffly recite
I'd give them a hand
But they'll manage all right
And some people say
It's the way it should be
And maybe they're right
'Cause in our dark towers
We'll always be blind
To what these children see
There's an old man
Who sits talking with time
He says, "How you doin',
You know I'm just fine.
They all think I'm crazy
And should be in bed,
But I got some livin' to do
'Fore I'm dead."
Chorus: And isn't it sad
We stiffly recite
I'd give him a hand
But he'll manage all right
And some people say
It's the way it should be
And maybe they're right
'Cause in our dark towers
We'll always be blind
To what these children see
We'll always be blind
To what all children
Of the world
See
(c)2008 Patty Morris