My Child Will Forgive Me

Mrs. Phagan, can you describe for us, please ma'am, the outfit your daughter Mary wore to town last Memorial Day?

It was her Easter Sunday outfit - the little lavender cotton pongee dress I made her, a straw hat with a parasol to match, white stockings, her party shoes.

(holding a small pile of torn, ruined clothes)
Would these be the clothes?

My child will forgive me for raisin' her poor
And for takin' her out of the school
My child will forgive me for not doin' more
To protect her from men who are cruel.

And my child will forgive me for closin' my eyes
To the dangers of growing too fast
My child will forgive me with tears in her eyes
When we're reunited at last.

My child will be safe in the arms of the Lord
And as pure as the day of her birth
My child will be cozied and blessed and adored
As she never could be here on Earth.

And my child will be watchin' me, givin' me faith
In a future that's golden and new
My Mary will teach me to open my heart
And so I forgive you
Jew.