Sad Little Houses Sad Little Houses

Amparo R. Asuncion Amparo R. Asuncion

The sad little houses, the poor little houses The sad little houses, the poor little houses
Crowded by the riverside. Crowded by the riverside.
The holes in their roofs, the cracks in their walls The holes in their roofs, the cracks in their walls
Vainly they try to hide. Vainly they try to hide.

The stench of the river, the dark, muddy river The stench of the river, the dark, muddy river
Is with them night and day, Is with them night and day,
Pure, fresh air may be had for the moving Pure, fresh air may be had for the moving
But they can’t move away. But they can’t move away.

They can only stand by the bank of the river They can only stand by the bank of the river
Buried knee-deep in clay. Buried knee-deep in clay.
They can only stare at the drifting garbage They can only stare at the drifting garbage
Until they, too decay. Until they, too decay.

And, pass away into ghosts of houses And, pass away into ghosts of houses
Killed by burning sun, Killed by burning sun,
Smothered with dust and then forgotten- Smothered with dust and then forgotten-
Forgotten by everyone. Forgotten by everyone.

Sad Little Houses Sad Little Houses

Amparo R. Asuncion Amparo R. Asuncion

The sad little houses, the poor little houses The sad little houses, the poor little houses
Crowded by the riverside. Crowded by the riverside.
The holes in their roofs, the cracks in their walls The holes in their roofs, the cracks in their walls
Vainly they try to hide. Vainly they try to hide.

The stench of the river, the dark, muddy river The stench of the river, the dark, muddy river
Is with them night and day, Is with them night and day,
Pure, fresh air may be had for the moving Pure, fresh air may be had for the moving
But they can’t move away. But they can’t move away.

They can only stand by the bank of the river They can only stand by the bank of the river
Buried knee-deep in clay. Buried knee-deep in clay.
They can only stare at the drifting garbage They can only stare at the drifting garbage
Until they, too decay. Until they, too decay.

And, pass away into ghosts of houses And, pass away into ghosts of houses
Killed by burning sun, Killed by burning sun,
Smothered with dust and then forgotten- Smothered with dust and then forgotten-
Forgotten by everyone. Forgotten by everyone.