Camille O'Sullivan

Remember the fair, Ma

The two of us there, Ma

By the merry-go-round?

I stood there entranced

As the bright horses danced

To a magical sound

Just sixpence for pleasure untold

And I rode in a whirl of scarlet and gold

Look, Mummy, no hands

I’m riding the roundabout all by myself

Look, Mummy, no hands

I called as I passed her

Faster and faster

“Hold on tight, darling!” she called out in fear

But I laughed and pretended that I couldn’t hear

How careless we are when we’re young…

Remember the years

Of the sulks and the tears?

Do you recall?

I hated you when you said

“Be back by ten!”

I knew it all

Always asking to know what I’d done

When, as far as I knew, I was just having fun

Look, Mummy, no hands

I know how to take good care of myself

Look, Mummy, no hands

Please don’t be a bore

‘Cause I know the score

She tried to warn me, but I wouldn’t heed her

I was grown up, I didn’t need her

How careless we are when we’re young…

Remember the daughter

And all that you taught her?

She’s grown up at last

With a child of her own

She struggles alone

As the years all rush past

But now you’re not there to answer her calls

You’re not there to catch her as she stumbles and falls

Look, Mummy, no hands

I’m having to do it all by myself

Look, Mummy, no hands

I used to dismiss you

Now I just miss you

As my child grows away from me, I feel my heart sinking

Then I look back and smile, and I find myself thinking

How careless we are when we’re young…