One Child

Song One Child
Artist Jason Chu
Album Goodbye, Beijing.

Lyrics

[00:11.532] In a land of a billion what's a few hundred million?
[00:15.003] Empty buildings, cement on the ceilings
[00:17.454] Cut the lifeline and left a population reeling
[00:20.261] Breaking off the future without thinking of the children
[00:23.254] I heard a girl cry, saw a boy laugh
[00:26.161] Saw the future turn white in a camera flash
[00:29.035] As the camera snaps, it all blows past
[00:31.857] No more light now, it's growin all black
[00:34.702] See the future but can't make it change
[00:36.884] So I say my prayers for those who aren't of age
[00:39.672] As behind closed eyes I see the unmarked graves
[00:42.553] And I, try to smile, but my expression's - changed
[00:46.470] What will they do with the playgrounds
[00:48.826] When the ones who used to play there don't come round
[00:52.387] And there's no one to replace them
[00:53.855] A generation crying out because we couldn't save them
[00:57.304] Who will wash them, who will bathe them?
[01:00.105] Commemorate them in their last days?
[01:02.857] And in a mother's eyes, and a father's face
[01:05.674] I glimpse a painting that was left untraced
[01:08.357]
[01:08.610] What about your deepest feelings?
[01:11.309] What about your broken heart?
[01:14.142] What about someone who's there
[01:16.303] When everything else falls apart?
[01:19.840] A true brother, a true sister
[01:22.631] Is there with a helping hand
[01:25.456] When you cry, you'll find my shoulder
[01:28.209] When you need me, I'll be there
[01:30.804]
[01:31.129] One child, one child
[01:33.939] One child might be a king
[01:36.701] One child, one child
[01:39.581] She could be everything
[01:42.042]
[01:42.056] Top university with big dreams
[01:44.463] The best school in the country was in Beijing
[01:47.968] She was smart with a bright future - He had a smile like hers
[01:51.530] and caring eyes, that looked right through her
[01:53.791] Cold winter, but he made her warm
[01:55.767] So when he asked her out she texted right back - sure
[01:59.467] Her roommates all teased her
[02:01.408] When his picture showed up on her phone screensaver
[02:04.982] Same classes, the same major
[02:07.378] Together all day from 6 AM until he made her
[02:10.237] Go home to sleep, and in her dreams
[02:12.655] She didn't count sheep, she saw him as her savior
[02:16.174] Their first kiss in a corner of the campus
[02:18.918] His lips were untrained but she taught him manners
[02:21.754] At three months, they had a special date
[02:23.941] Rented a hotel room with the money he had saved her
[02:27.370] At four months, it turns out she's late
[02:29.711] They both knew that the moment had sealed their fate
[02:32.536] A pregnant woman can't run the rat race
[02:35.460] It was done in three hours on a Saturday, ay
[02:38.725]
[02:38.735] What about your deepest feelings?
[02:41.697] What about your broken heart?
[02:44.412] What about someone who's there
[02:46.628] When everything else falls apart?
[02:50.160] A true brother, a true sister
[02:52.879] Is there with a helping hand
[02:55.677] When you cry, you'll find my shoulder
[02:58.549] When you need me, I'll be there
[03:01.018]
[03:01.293] One child, one child
[03:04.130] One child might be a king
[03:06.944] One child, one child
[03:09.753] She could be everything
[03:12.273]
[03:12.283] Married in the fall; pregnant by the spring
[03:14.999] Their future was as bright as the diamond on her ring
[03:17.642] By the summer it was clear that the winter would bring
[03:20.346] Another life into their family, that's what they had dreamed
[03:23.159] The new year brought a new life into the world
[03:26.184] A new generation, a little baby girl
[03:29.491] Finally, they felt so complete
[03:31.734] Named her faith: their future, made concrete
[03:34.850] Mom went back to work, dad taught his class
[03:37.692] Grandma watched the child while grandpa took a nap
[03:40.313] But in their hearts, they felt a hole
[03:43.029] Next to little baby faith where another should go
[03:45.712] But the law said one child is all they need
[03:48.640] More than that is unpatriotic indeed
[03:51.409] Another child means paying steep taxes and fees
[03:54.228] And they were told: it's just one more mouth to feed
[03:57.625] So when her belly gets large again
[03:59.892] The moment should be joyful but it's hard on them
[04:02.802] In their own family, they don't have a voice
[04:05.341] Because the law says the country doesn't have a choice
[04:09.043]
[04:09.053] What about your deepest feelings?
[04:11.768] What about your broken heart?
[04:14.642] What about someone who's there
[04:16.741] When everything else falls apart?
[04:20.310] A true brother, a true sister
[04:23.005] Is there with a helping hand
[04:25.891] When you cry, you'll find my shoulder
[04:28.762] When you need me, I'll be there
[04:31.299]
[04:31.640] One child, one child
[04:34.348] One child might be a king
[04:37.195] One child, one child
[04:40.027] She could be everything...