I was only a child
A little girl
I knew no other world
Than the world of banners and flags and glory
Of speeches and leaders and armies
Leading the people to victory

I was only a child.
So easily was I led to believe
All the lies that I was told
I grew up in a world
Of smiling rosy faces
And braided hair of gold
Bright eyes sparkling in the sun
A world
Of music and laughter and innocent fun
Affection and affluence
Red ribbons and lace
Mommy’s perfect daughter
In the perfect place
I didn’t see the pain
I didn’t see the sorrow ahead
I didn’t see that the monsters
Were not under my bed

I was only a child
I didn’t question a word
My daddy said
He spoke of the sword
But he spoke the truth
That’s what everyone said
Everyone cheered
They loved him
They loved me, too
They all held me dear
What an adorable child!
What a pretty smile!
My daddy’s friends would say
She’ll grow up to be beautiful someday!
I didn’t see the lies
They held in their eyes
I didn’t see the world
They had made
Their world of pain
Their world of sorrow
The world where
Few got to dream of tomorrow

I was only a child.
I loved the sunshine on my face
That lit up the world
As far as I could see
But then the sun no longer shined
The storm clouds gathered in the sky
I tried to hide the fear in my eyes
The monsters lurked in the dark
Dark corners of the underground Hell
That was the way we fell
My mommy took me in her arms
As she whispered that she loved me
Loved me very much
She told me it would be all right
Then sent me to sleep for the night
With a kiss and a drop
Of bitter medicine on my tongue
But mommy, I don’t need medicine
I said as I started to fight
She smiled and turned out the light
As I closed my eyes
And hugged my teddy bear tight
I saw the pain and sorrow
And the lies of tomorrow

I was only a child
That’s what they said when they found me
Only a child
My body laid out in the sunshine
Clouded by the smoke and flames
Stained by blood and grime
Only a child
A little girl
Born into a world
Doomed to fall
I was only a child, after all