SORRY, SORRY DAY
© lyrics and music Max Merckenschlager
Winner, 2008 Grenfell Henry Lawson statuette, Grenfell NSW.
Sweets are waiting in the car
come and ride — we won’t go far
mum and dad know where you are —
a sorry, sorry day.
No, you can’t go home tonight
stop it, or I’ll take the light
in the morning you’ll be right —
another sorry day.
Other children live here, see?
You can share their dormitory,
safe at night by lock and key —
a sorry, sorry day.
Up you get — can’t laze in bed!
Lots of chores before you’re fed,
morning prayers will change your head —
another sorry day.
Let me shed a tear with you, walk across a bridge or two
build a better future by acknowledging the past.
No, your mother doesn’t care,
better off without you there.
Here’s the tunic you must wear —
a sorry, sorry day.
Smarten up and fix your dress,
there’s a family to impress.
If you go, that’s one kid less —
another sorry day.
Let me shed a tear with you, walk across a bridge or two
build a better future by acknowledging the past.
Here are letters home you wrote,
“DO NOT SEND”, Department’s note.
Family was too remote —
a sorry, sorry day.
Mother died four years ago,
thought they might have let you know.
Dad’s in jail, the records show —
another sorry day.
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