Coming in to wake me up in the morning,Who do you see, nurse?
Coming in to wake me up in the morning, Who do you see, nurse? A cranky old man, out of habit Still living a little, Half blind, half stupid, “Half-blind, half-witted, half-wit. He can’t hear, he’s got to work his arse off, He’s wasting his food He mumbles all the time, and I can’t get enough of him. Shut up, shut up! He knocked over the plate on the floor. Where are the shoes? Where’s the second sock? The last fucking hero. Get off the bed! I wish you were dead. Nurse! Look into my eyes! See what’s behind– Behind this weakness and pain, Behind the life you’ve lived Behind this moth-eaten jacket, Behind the flabby skin, behind the soul. Beyond the present day Try to see ME… … I’m a boy! I’m a fidgety little boy A little bit of fun, a little bit of mischief I’m scared. I’m only about five years old And the merry-go-round is so high! But there’s my mum and dad I’m staring at them with my eyes fixed on them. And though my fear is unquenchable I know I’m loved. … I’m sixteen and I’m on fire I’m soaring in the clouds I’m dreaming, I’m happy, I’m sad, ♪ I’m young, I’m looking for love ♪ … And here it is, my happy moment! I’m twenty-eight I’m a groom! I’m walking down the aisle with love And I’m on fire, on fire, on fire. … I’m thirty-five and my family’s growing, We already have sons, We’ve got our own house, our own household. And my wife I’m about to have a daughter. … And life goes on and on! I’m forty-five – a whirlwind! And the children are growing up. Toys, school, institute… That’s it! They’ve flown from the nest They’ve all flown away The celestial bodies have slowed down Our cosy home is empty. … But my love and I are together! We lie down together and get up together She doesn’t let me be sad And life goes on again… … Now I’m sixty. Once again the children are singing in the house! The grandchildren are in a merry round dance. Oh, how happy we are! But here we are. … Suddenly the sun is gone. My beloved is gone! There’s a limit to happiness. I’ve turned grey in a week I’ve shrunk, I’ve shrunk I felt like an old man. … Now I live my life without a care in the world, I live for my grandchildren and my children. My world is with me, but every day. There’s less and less light in it. I carry the cross of old age on my shoulders, I walk wearily to nowhere. My heart is covered with a crust of ice. And time can’t heal my pain. O Lord, how long is life When it doesn’t feel good. … But it must be faced. Nothing lasts forever under the moon. And you, bent over me, Open your eyes, sister. I’m not a cranky old man, no! I’m a beloved husband, father and grandfather. And a little boy, till now. In the glow of the sunny day Flying into the distance on a merry-go-round…. Try to see me. And maybe you’ll find yourself, while grieving for me!
