Reel: The Freemantle Doctor

Yesterday, I met a one-legged beggar down by the quay
He was waiting for the return of the tourist cruising for the day
Like a child, was he dreaming of sailing the sea
Far away, for his fame and fortune to gather

Or was he sitting in the midday sunshine
Waiting patiently with his sad lot
Knowing Allah will provide the ways and means
To loose his stomach from the knot
He'd got from eating only bread and goat's milk
Since leaving his cot?
His faith in Allah feeds him
I found I could not

Take you back unto Calvary's heavenly plot
When the world did wash its hands of salvation

Last night, I met a one-legged beggar down by the bay
With a smile of anticipation, but I continued on me way
To the club beneath the palm trees where I ought to pay
Just a pittance owed to the pauper of fortune

A beggar milled a leg or two, one arm, one eye
Oh, what can life own what he'll get?
"He'll get nothing from me," said the Englishman
On holiday in Hammamet
And though it's sad to see the lad caught there
In poverty's net
Although I got, I've not bought
All my presents yet

Take you back unto the '30s when your parents met
And a pittance was still the bane of starvation

This morning, I met a one-legged beggar down by the shore
With his one leg against a lamppost
He raised his fist to beg for more
But the sight of his little fingers all swollen and sore
Made the tourists all too embarrassed to face him

He smiled, beguiling all the visitors
To witness such a melancholy sight
"Just a penny, please," in seven languages
Came through his teeth of mottled white
But someone said, "Don't give him any pennies
Or he might come back tonight"
Compassion was contending
Apathy won the fight

So remember, you poor tourist, on your very last night
When you'll wish you'd shared your share of creation
When you'll wish you'd shared your share of creation