The Whip

A song I wrote about child abuse.

The Whip

 

Chorus:
If the cradle rocks, will the bough hold firm?
Will their helpless eyes weep and learn
When the father’s rage strikes without a care?
If the cradle rocks, will the bough hold firm?
Will the children cry if the father’s stern?
Will the mother cringe when the whip cracks the air?

 

The corner that he sits within,
Like the shadows he calls friends,
Covers the fear in his face
And hides the horrors of this place
That he lives in day to day.
 

A busted lip he sucks upon
To conceal the curses and moans
Of the bruises that have grown,
While hoping that his father’s gone
To a hell so far away.

 

Chorus: (Repeat)

 

His little sister, she’s asleep.
Thank God for that; she makes no peep.
Her mother’s child, who’s only four,
If she should cry, the belt once more
Would swing with new brutality.

 

Mother is a nervous wreck.
Afraid to act, she stays in check.
Afraid to fight, she turns her back
On the violence and the crack
Of the whip’s insanity.

 

Chorus: (Repeat)

 

Legion

21Aug91

 

 

 

Reviews

[Rick Puetter]

Dear Legion,

Excellent. Loved the structure and the message. Good one, my friend.

Yes, child abuse is a horrible thing that no one should ever suffer. And somehow it seems that these sort of people have an easier time of cruelty with family than with others. Perhaps this is because they can rationalize that as the head of the household that they have a right.

Wonderful write.

Best regards,

Rick

[Platus]

It's very nice, good job winning that contest!

[darkgurl]

This is an awesome song, The lyrics really hit home to me being a victm of it in all. This would make a rel good song...Kim

[Adrian K. Smith]

Abuse is a tough one to touch upon, for me. Not that I suffered abuse nor that I knew anybody that was abused while growing up with them. It was not part of my world.

There is the father's rage here, and we are to condemn him for it. Yet, in truth, how could one deny their own rage and desire simply to rip the father apart where he stands? Yet, in truth, how could one deny their own rage and desire to strike down the mother regardless of her fear?

They are the children, our lives for them....

[Lily1111]

Very moving lyrics conveyed in such a way as to infer an understanding of abuse that may have come from person experience as well. I enjoyed reading this.