THE LIFE 1900-1914

By: Norvin Mago

The Ballad

I am only twelve years oldBut they force me to workIf I ever lose this JobMy family will be living on dirt

My job is not simpleBut not yet too hardI crawl inside the machines to fixBecause I’m a small but scarred

Because I’m often very scared of thisDoing this awful jobBut if I do not do thisMy family will cry and sob(My family will cry and sob)

I have all kinds of cuts and bruisesBut I just ignore them I just wait till the next dayWhen they’ll heal and go away

This morning starts with small to eatBut I don’t mind cause I’ll surviveWell, maybe till next week or soI need some help I need a hero

Because I’m often very scared of thisDoing this awful jobBut if I don’t do all thisMy family will cry and sob(We will all cry and sob)

It’s been around five hours now

I’m almost half way

Through these long working hours

‘please make this stop’ I pray

Another machine has broke down

I look away from the boss and hope

He doesn’t pick me to fix

To fix this metal piece of hics

For I am often very scared of this

Of Doing this awful job

But if I don’t do all this

My family will cry and sob

(Another day of cries and sobs)

Alas this work has come to an end

We all shall go back home

To our families that we ‘O’ very love

Give us some mercy that you have not shown

Though at times going home is sad

Because I have a demanding father

I forgot to mention the six kilometer walk

Would you honestly bother

When I get home I want to rest

But no time for that I still have work

I must wash the clothes and animals fur

With the insects around me to lurk

After that only a bit to sleepI hate getting on the floor to restWith only a thin rag on the heapOf all dirt and rubble that’s my housei need a new one to keep my spouse

This is all that happens everydayJust repeat every verse on the way That’s the average day I say I hope this year will now change

For I am always scared of all this

Of Doing this horrific job

But if I don’t do all this

My family will not survive

We will not be alive