Just a Child Songtext

von Peter Hammill

This is more than merely wrong, as sin on sin's grotesquely piled. Don't look so surprised when you find yourself reviled. Don't look to me for comfort in your trial – the girl was just a child. Uttering remorse with weasel words and shameless guile... it was "a mistake", no, paedophilia's "not your style"; all's undercut by your crookedness of smile – the girl was just a child. Close to being grown up, occasionally wild, but the girl was just a child, the girl was just a child.

Now here come the limp excuses with a euphemistic turn of phrase. The fact is sexual abuse undoes its victims, down through all their days. Darkness clouds her face, no longer fresh and juvenile. Home's no longer safe, her innocence is lost, with rising bile. This is not a hurt that will ease after a while – the girl was just a child. Offer your contrition, in remorse you're meek and mild but the girl was just a child and you can't restore the treasure, the flower you defiled – the girl was just a child. More than merely wrong, this is simply vile – the girl was just a child.