Flickan och kråkan [English translation]

I sat the other day reading my paper

a day like so many before

and thought about all the dreams you’ve dreamt

that one after the other have ended

Then I saw a picture of a girl

with a wingshot crow in her arms

She runs through the woods

as fast as she possibly can

And she runs with fluttering locks

she runs on slight legs

and she prays and begs and hopes and believes

that it must not be too late

The girl is small and her hair is so fair

and her cheek is so flushed and red.

And the crow is clumsy and croaking black

and in a moment it’s completely dead

But the girl she runs for the life

of a wingshot bird in her arms.

She runs towards safety and warmth

for that which is right and true

And she runs with glistening eyes

she runs on slight legs

For she knows that it’s true, what daddy has said:

If there’s life it’s never too late

And I started to tremble in pain and distress

and I shook with fright and dread

For I knew completely plainly and clear

that the picture I’d seen was of me

For my hope is a wingshot crow

And I am a running child

who thinks that someone can help me still

who thinks that someone has answers

And I run with pounding heart,

I run on slight legs,

and I pray and beg, even though I know

it’s already completely too late