Refugee Blues
WH Auden
1. Say this city has ten million (hyperbole) souls,
- Many people in one place
- “Souls” spiritual element
2. Some are living in mansions, some are living in holes:
- Contrast social class
3. Yet there’s no place for us, my dear, yet there’s no place for us.
- There is no place for the refugees
- They are abandoned & they don’t belong anywhere
4. Once we had a country and we thought it fair,
- It used to be a just, fair place
- Now unwanted & ostracised from their own home
5. Look in the altas and you’ll find it there:
- Talking about Germany
6. We cannot go there now, my dear, we cannot go there now.
7. In the village churchyard there grows an old yew (tree),
- Old village yard grows a tree
- There is no fairness
8. Every spring it blossoms anew;
- It changes & keeps growing
9. Old passports can’t do that, my dear, old passports can’t do that.
- They can’t have a fresh start in life
10. Went to a committee (parliament), they offered me a chair;
- They aren’t really offered any assistance
- Parliament not willing to help or assist
11. Asked me politely to return next year:
- Only want to help later but trouble happening now
12. But where shall we go today, my dear, but where shall we go today?
- Swant help but it is a hopeless situation
WH Auden
1. Say this city has ten million (hyperbole) souls,
- Many people in one place
- “Souls” spiritual element
2. Some are living in mansions, some are living in holes:
- Contrast social class
3. Yet there’s no place for us, my dear, yet there’s no place for us.
- There is no place for the refugees
- They are abandoned & they don’t belong anywhere
4. Once we had a country and we thought it fair,
- It used to be a just, fair place
- Now unwanted & ostracised from their own home
5. Look in the altas and you’ll find it there:
- Talking about Germany
6. We cannot go there now, my dear, we cannot go there now.
7. In the village churchyard there grows an old yew (tree),
- Old village yard grows a tree
- There is no fairness
8. Every spring it blossoms anew;
- It changes & keeps growing
9. Old passports can’t do that, my dear, old passports can’t do that.
- They can’t have a fresh start in life
10. Went to a committee (parliament), they offered me a chair;
- They aren’t really offered any assistance
- Parliament not willing to help or assist
11. Asked me politely to return next year:
- Only want to help later but trouble happening now
12. But where shall we go today, my dear, but where shall we go today?
- Swant help but it is a hopeless situation
