Look Mummy, No Hands

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