What's the Matter Here? lyrics

That young boy without a name

Anywhere I'd know his face

In this city the kid's my favorite

I've seen him, seen him

I see him every day

Seen him run outside

Looking for a place to hide

From his father, the kid half naked

And said to myself

"Oh, what's the matter here?"

I'm tired of the excuses everybody uses

"He's their kid, I stay out of it"

But who gave you the right

To do this?

We live on Morgan Street

Just ten feet between

And his mother, I never see her

But her screams and cussing

I hear them every day

Threats like "If you don't mind

I will beat on your behind

Slap you, slap you silly"

Made me say

"Oh, what's the matter here?

I'm tired of the excuses everybody uses

"He's your kid, do as you see fit"

But get this through that I don't approve

Of what you did

To your own flesh and blood

I have heard the excuses everybody uses

"He's your kid, do as you see fit"

But get this through that I don't approve

Of what you did

To your own flesh and blood

"If you don't sit in your chair straight

I'll take this belt from around my waist

And don't you think that I won't use it"

Answer me - and take your time -

What could be the awful crime

He could do at so young an age?

If I'm the only witness to your madness

Offer me some words to balance

Out what I see and what I hear

All these cold and rude things that you do

I suppose you do because he "belongs to you"

And instead of love and the feel of warmth

You've given him these cuts and sores

That won't heal with time or with age

And I want to say, "Hi"

Want to say "What's the matter here?"

But I don't dare say "What's the matter here?"

But I don't dare say...

• Artist:10,000 Maniacs
• Album:In My Tribe