🎵 [Intro] (Humming) [Chorus] Since I could neither read nor write, I never quite caught what they said that time. They told me softly, “No, you’ve done no wrong…” But I was last to come — so I’m the one gone. [Verse 1] Back on the line, my heart felt sore, I’d given so much — what could it be for? My friends stood close, their faces gray, I told them, “A month — then I’ll be away.” [Chorus – choral] Since I could neither read nor write, I never quite caught what they said that time, They told me softly, “No, you’ve done no wrong…” You’re the last to arrive — so now you’re gone. (Gone…) [Verse 2] The day was done, the truth came plain, All that work — It's all gone again, This morning I smiled, I felt so sure, Tonight life’s cruel, unjust, impure. [Chorus] Since I could neither read nor write, I never quite caught what they said that time. They told me softly, “No, you’ve done no wrong…” Last in the line — no job for long. [Bridge] The bell rang out — but not for me, I whispered low, “No work, no pay — it’s all for me”. They all went home to rest, to sleep, I watched the factory — my heart would weep. [Chorus] Since I could neither read nor write, I never quite caught what they said that time. Yet on that line, I too shone bright, I worked so hard — that’s how they said goodnight. [Outro] “My children…” How to pay the school again? “My children…” Beg for rent — a coin in vain? “My children…” And at Christmas, not one toy remains… “For my children… For my children…” (Humming)
