What's The Matter Here? Lyrics - 10,000 Maniacs

That young boy without a name 

Anywhere I'd know his face 

In this city the kid's my favorite 

I've seen him, I've seen a 

I see him every day 

Seen him run outside 

Looking for a place to hide 

From his father 

The kid half naked 

And said to myself 

"Oh, what's the matter here? 

I'm tired of the excuses 

Everybody uses 

He's your kid 

Do as you see fit 

But who gave you the right 

To do this? 

We live on Morgan Street 

Just ten feet between 

And his mother, I never see her 

But her screams and cussing 

Well I hear them every day 

Threats like 

If you don't mind 

I will beat on your behind 

Slap you, slap you silly 

Made me say 

"Oh, what's the matter here? 

I'm tired of the excuses 

Everybody uses 

He's your kid 

Just do as you see fit 

But get this through 

That I don't approve 

Of what you did 

To your own flesh and blood 

Oh I have heard the excuses 

Everybody uses 

He's your kid 

Just do as you see fit 

But get this through 

That I don't approve 

Of what you did 

To your own flesh and blood 

Well if you don't sit 

In your chair straight 

I'll take this belt 

From around my waist 

And don't you think 

That I won't use it 

Answer me and take your time 

What could be the awful crime 

He could do at so young an age? 

If I'm the only witness to your madness 

Offer me some words to balance 

Out what I see and what I hear 

All these cold and rude 

Things that you do 

I suppose you do 

Because he belongs to you 

And instead of love 

And the feel of warmth 

You've given him these cuts 

And sores that don't heal with time or his age 

And I want to say, "Hi" 

Want to say 

"What's the matter here?" 

But I don't dare say 

"What's the matter here?" 

But I don't dare say