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steo wall - Borstal Boy

from Street Wisdom For Lost Souls by Steo Wall

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about

Dedicated to anyone lost in the struggle. Hold on to hope and pray for better days, cause they're on the way.

lyrics

Little Johnny was born into a life of crime, like his father and his father, he was destined to do time
by the age of sixteen he was living the dream, selling drugs out on the corner, he was part of a team
and they all had his back, cause they were all selling, sssh
till the police pulled up and it was time to take the wrap
now his mother cries cause she missus him, another borstal boy is going to prison
his mother cries cause she missis him, another borstal boy was raised in the system
now the door bangs out and in a cell he is alone, Johnny weeps in the darkness, cause he longs to go home
he wished he had of listened to the elders in his life, cause the wisdom that they tried to give him, turns out it was right
next day on the yard, little Johnny acts hard but all the other borstal boys, they can see through his facade
now his mother cries cause she missus him, another borstal boy is going to prison
his mother cries cause she missis him, another borstal boy was lost in the system
five years pass, little Johnny gets out, but his head is all melted, he doesn't know what he's about
can't tell if he's coming, doesn't know if he's going, so he hops on a train and he makes his way home
he walks the old corners where nothing much has changed, except all his friends are gone now, victims of this games
Johnny lowers his head and he walks on by, he knocks on his front door, looks his mother in the eye
now he's faced with the stark reality of one last choice, does he play the same game, or does he change his whole life
now his mother cries cause she missus him, another borstal boy is going to prison
his mother cries cause she missis him, another borstal boy was raised in the system
now his mother cries tears of joy, cause she's proud today of her borstal boy

credits

from Street Wisdom For Lost Souls, track released October 20, 2023
Featuring
SAL
Caroline Lodge
Jon o Connell
jimmy Higgins
Martin o Malley

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Steo Wall image

Steo Wall Dublin, Ireland


Irish singer/storyteller

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