[Intro] My mumma taught me, She taught me good. You always have protection, Protection as you should. The lonely days around me Can be lightened from the heat, If only you have protection, Protection as you should. [Verse 1] Problems may surround me, And troubles come my way, I've got my paper umbrella, To shelter me each day. She showed me how to weave it, How to fold the paper tight. I thought I'd learnt the secret Of keeping safe from life. But nobody told me paper Couldn't stand up to the rain. Nobody said that storms like these Would keep on coming back again. [Verse 2] I was born in the eighties, Just a girl who wanted love. Maybe I was always searching For the things I never got enough. Perhaps it started with my father, Something missing deep inside. So I looked for love in all the wrong places, With the wrong men by my side. They promised me forever, But forever didn't last. Some hands that should have held me Left their bruises in the past. [Chorus] Paper umbrellas, paper umbrellas, Pretty little things that promise you the sky. Woven up with love and good intentions, But they fall apart when the storms roll by. A little bit of shelter, A little bit of shade, But the slightest change in weather And the protection starts to fade. [Verse 3] Then came the children, one by one, I thought I'd found my reason. I'd give them all the love I missed, Make a better life somehow. But love won't pay the rent, And babies need more than love. Men walked out and left me With more than I could handle. My back was breaking, cupboards bare, No money left for food. No petrol for the school run, No doctor when you're sick and blue. The bills kept coming, car broke down, The fridge was running dry. And all I had was paper To hold above their little lives. [Chorus] Paper umbrellas, paper umbrellas, Pretty little things that promise you the sky. Woven up with love and good intentions, But they fall apart when the storms roll by. A little bit of shelter, A little bit of shade, But the slightest change in weather And the protection starts to fade. [Verse 4] Then came the storm I couldn't stop, The children taken from my side. Eighteen months of waiting, Eighteen months of tears I've cried. I know things went wrong, I know I couldn't cope. But every day I'm fighting, Still holding on to hope. Perhaps they'll stay overnight soon, Perhaps we're getting near. I keep a place for them inside my home, And wish that they were here. [Verse 5] My family helped me get a car, I thought my luck had turned. A little bit of breathing room, A little bridge I'd finally earned. Then I walked outside one morning, And what the heck was that? One flat tyre and the other front With a bulge upon its back! You've got to be kidding! What flaming thing comes next? I haven't got the money for a tyre, I'm still behind on everything else! [Bridge] I never wanted riches, Never asked for an easy life. I just wanted someone to love me, Someone who'd stay beside me. A home that didn't hurt me, A place where I belonged. A chance to raise my children And know that I was strong. [Final Chorus] Paper umbrellas, paper umbrellas, I've held them high against the sky. I've tried to keep the rain from falling, I've tried to stop the tears I've cried. But paper doesn't hold together When the wind comes tearing through. And every time I thought I had protection, Another storm came blowing through. Paper umbrellas, I've had more than I can count. But I'm still here, still standing, Though the rain keeps pouring down. [Outro] Mumma taught me how to make them, I thought I'd learnt it well. I've made them for my children too, But I know how easily they fail. Maybe one day the clouds will clear, Maybe better days are near. Maybe my children will come home... And we'll make a paper umbrella. Paper umbrella .... paper umbrella We'll always have protection, Protection as we should. ...as we should ...
