The singer saw the ones in need and spoke out from his heart
He asked his showbiz friends if they would help him start
To feed the flock of millions over all the global lands
They said, “It can’t be done, Harry!” “My God, you’re just one man!”
(“Silly Boy!”)
Everybody knows the hunger issue is quite dead!
Everybody knows the starving masses can’t be fed!
Remember Lady Antoinette?
Said “Let ‘em all eat cake!”
“Well, that’s just fine with me,
For I care, but I can’t bake.”
“There’s people dying in the streets!”
Harry told the Congress then,
“I believe that we can help them,
But we must soon begin.”
“You see, we’ll educate the public
and then Send Relief by trucks.”
Some politicians sneered at him and said;
“Harry, it sucks!”
(“Crazy Fool!”)
Everybody knows the hunger issue is quite dead!
Everybody knows the starving masses can’t be fed!
Remember the orphaned Oliver?
Said, “Please, I want some more.”
That hungry lad, he didn’t do badly
So who are you fighting for?
“We’ve plenty of food for everyone!”
Harry told the president.
“It’s just a matter of making sure it gets to where it’s sent!”
“The Hunger Commission is a start
But pull out all the stops!
Send men, machines, technology,
To help the poor grow crops!”
(“Stupid Man!”)
Everybody knows the hunger issue is quite dead!
Everybody knows the starving millions can’t be fed!
“The poor are with you always,”
Said a man named Jesus Christ.
“If we robbed them of that blessing
We’d pay a hellish price!”
Harry went upon the stage
amidst assembled fans
They knew he was sincere
and cheered him and his band.
He’d given up his chance at wealth
to quell the hungered cry.
He’d sing one night to feed himself,
And “one for the other guy”.
One night while he was driving on the freeway to a show.
A tragedy occurred, the details I don’t know.
The Rock of Ages fell on him,
Our circled hearts were crushed.
And it seemed his movement faltered, Crumbling all to dust.
Now he speaks to us from metal boxes
Strung with silver wire,
Saying, “Remember when my music
had the power to inspire?”
The faithful fought a slow retreat
And by now all seems still.
Our cause seems where it always was,
Or where it always will be.
When someone asks, “Who’s Harry Chapin?”
You’ll hear, “Oh he was daft!”
“He dreamed he’d end world hunger,”
And then they’ll start to laugh.
But high up in the Cheap Seats
Past the noisy corporate din
Ten hundred thousand voices sing…
“I’m ready to dream again”
Keath Graham – September ‘96
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