THE OLD ACCORDION
(Raymond Froggatt)

In the music shop window
It hung like a clock on the wall
And the people passed by it
To them it meant nothing it all
 
But the tears rolled down the face
Of Jacob O’Reilly
For thirty pounds ten
Was a lifetime away from his heart
 
Well, he was one of a dozen
But mother just might have one more
So he left the back street plantation
And never locked back at the door
 
But his fear grew more
‘Round about midnight
He was only eight
Left alone with only his thoughts
 
Oh, if I could have that old accordion, he cried
If only I could hear it played
I wouldn’t need anybody to talk to
And then we could dance, dance, dance our troubles away
 
He was feeling quite hungry
And lay himself down on the floor
And he counted the patches
Sewn into the jeans that he wore
 
And the rain came down
From then until morning
He was awfully cold
And he wished he was back in his home
 
You know, just when he thought
That his leaving meant nothing but homeless
A motherly voice called his name
And his eyes faded open
 
Oh, he woke from a dream in his head
And he thought he was dead
For the old accordion
Lay at the foot of his bed
 
Oh, if I could have that old accordion, he cried
If only I could hear it played
I wouldn’t need anybody to talk to
And then we could dance, dance, dance our troubles away
And then we could dance, dance, dance our troubles away