The tallest chair (with Dawn Diamond)
A sad song with a poignant message about child abuse.
I'm easily inspired either by personal experiences, things said in conversation, being given a challenge, or being moved or amused by something. Many genres.
Story behind the song
My heart goes out to the millions of children who's childhoods have been stolen because of abuse.
For a long time the song was on the official NAPAC website.
Many thanks to Dawn for interpreting my lyrics so beautifully.
Lyrics
THE TALLEST CHAIR
1
If I could turn back time,
To when I was a child,
I'd kick out, scream and shout,
'Stead of being meek and mild.
2
I would climb up on the tallest chair,
To look you in the eye,
Demand that you stop right there,
And apologise.
CHORUS
You had your chances to put things right,
Apologise in the light of day,
I may have forgiven if remorse had been in sight
But you said I was imagining, and turned away.
3
No-one believed what a little girl said,
Against the head of the old church choir,
What a sad, disjointed life you led,
Though the brightest of us all for sure
4
Fine buildings you helped design,
With deep strong foundations,
I wanted to be proud, but drew the line,
With no reservations.
CHORUS
You had your chances to put things right,
Apologise in the light of day,
I may have forgiven if remorse had been in sight
But you said I was imagining, and turned away.
5
You carried on, and hurt your own,
How many others , we'll never know,
You died an unforgiven, lonely man,
I guess you reaped what you had sown.
Bridge
What hurts can make you strong,
For us, on the outside, not within,
Maybe in time we’ll deal with the anger,
But we'll never forget the pain.
CHORUS
You had your chances to put things right,
Apologise in the light of day,
I might have forgiven if remorse had been in sight
But you said I was imagining…. and turned away.
I got over my shaky start,
The truth came out as it does in time,
I could never love you ‘cause you had no heart,
And you never ever looked after mine.
If I could turn back time,
To when I was a child.
Words/Music © Carol Douglas/Dawn Diamond
