In the case of the 8-year-old little boy The child who said he wanted to see I am sorry I could not stop you, angel From becoming part of this machine To pull you from those cogs and screws And cover your innocent ears From the churning and turning of politics Of old white men’s right-wing fears In the case of the 8-year-old little boy I know you want to fix the worlds scrapes But the earth is not like your boo boo And mommy’s desk doesn’t have enough tape I am sorry I could not stop them, baby From taking away your dreams They would not listen to my screaming They couldn’t hear mommy over the machine In the case of the 8-year-old little boy Don’t let that light die in your eyes I know the world can be a bully But there was a time so was your mind I am sorry I could not stop them, sweetie From saying all those bad things An 8-year-old shouldn’t be hearing how The government tears off angel wings.