Song Description

The song is inspired by the novel "Is another man's freedom fighter" by Jacob Silverman that impressed me very much. The anecdote about "Asimov" reminded me of similar experiences when I was a young teacher myself, and it also made me aware of doubts a

Lyrics

Sometimes when I watch the news and see hungry eyes in a young boy's face
I can't help to remember this strange encounter of my college days
The day was filled with seminars and discussions about poverty and pain - once again
and finally I missed the bus and I walked home in the rain

I was walking down the boulevards with pretty shops and precious restaurants
eventually I lost my way in the sparkling streets of a rich-man's land
A young boy was sitting on the sidewalk a faded baseball-cap in his hand - begging for a cent
he was starring into the nothingness and me I was trying to unterstand

I said Hey boy what's your name and he looked up into the pouring rain
and Hey boy it's such a shame and the little man he looked down again

For a moment he said nothing I held my umbrella right above his head

Then I asked him for his name again "Asimov" that was all he said

And I asked him "Are you Russian?" and "Do you like the science fiction writer?" - mmm

And I moaned "How could you come this far?" another man's freedom fighter

After a moment of silence he looked up again and starred into my eyes

"Hey what are you going to give me? Some money, some food or some lies?"

"I don't know nothing about science-books but I'm hungry each and every day - nothing more to say

I dug through my pockets nervously dropped a coin and walked away

Hey boy what's your name and he looked up into the pouring rain

Hey boy it's such a shame and the little man he looked down again


I' d liked to give him shelter set him straight and show him that I care

So two or three day later I went back to this place but Asimov wasn't there

And now, so many years later, the petty story still is on my mind - from time to time

Maybe a lesson 'bout poverty but surely 'bout vanity and pride

I said Hey boy what's your name and he looked up into the pouring rain

and Hey boy it's such a shame and the little man he looked down again