Introduction:
“Someone’s Child” is a poignant country ballad written by songwriting duo Billy Troy and Lee Bach, and brought to life by the deep baritone of veteran country singer Gene Watson. Released in 1997 on Watson’s studio album A Way To Survive, the song quickly resonated with audiences and went on to become a signature tune in his extensive discography. While the song itself did not achieve chart-topping success, it has earned a place as a modern classic within the country music genre, thanks to its exploration of social issues and its timeless themes.
The song paints a vivid picture of a homeless man, struggling to survive on the unforgiving streets. The narrator observes the man’s plight, detailing his desperate attempts to earn spare change and find shelter at night. “Someone’s Child” forces the listener to confront the harsh realities of homelessness and challenges us to see the humanity beneath the tattered clothes and weathered face.
Watson’s expressive vocals weave a powerful narrative throughout the song. He delivers the lyrics with a sincerity that lays bare the vulnerability of the man on the street. The song’s emotional core is further emphasized by the contrast between the harsh realities of the man’s present situation and the tender memories hinted at in the lyrics. The line “They say he had his daddy’s eyes, his momma’s smile. Oh, they loved him so, but that was long ago when he was someone’s child” suggests a past filled with love and security, making the man’s current circumstances even more heartbreaking.
“Someone’s Child” transcends the story of a single homeless man. It serves as a powerful social commentary, urging listeners to acknowledge the plight of those less fortunate. The song compels us to question the systems that allow people to fall through the cracks and highlights the importance of compassion and empathy.
While not released as a single, “Someone’s Child” has become a staple of Gene Watson’s live performances. Fans connect with the song’s message of empathy and its reminder of our shared humanity. It stands as a testament to Watson’s ability to deliver powerful and socially conscious country music.
Video:
Lyrics:
He stands in the rain begging for change as people pass him by
And once in a while, he’ll get a nod or a smile with nickels & dimes
But when the sun goes down in his part of town & cold wind blows
He’ll find his way in the dark to a bench in the park where no one knows
Someone used to rock him on their knee
And when he’s cry, they’d sing him lullabies till he was fast asleep
They say he had his daddy’s eyes, his momma’s smile
Oh, they loved him so, but that was long ago when he was someone’s child
The word on the street was he had a degree & a big house in LA
But when it comes to his past, don’t bother to ask cause he’s got nothing to say
People frown & put him down, no one seems to care
That that’s one of us down on his luck standing there
Someone used to rock him on their knee
And when he’s cry, they’d sing him lullabies till he was fast asleep
They say he had his daddy’s eyes, his momma’s smile
Oh, they loved him so, but that was long ago when he was someone’s child
Then the flashing lights light up the night & the sirens scream
And as he breaths his last breath, he drops a photograph that no one’s seen
They say he had his daddy’s eyes, his momma’s smile
Oh, they loved him so, but that was long ago when he was someone’s child