Somebody's Darling
William Rigney is a name that should be better known
Although he had no money, nor estates to call his own
When he stumbled on the body of a boy beside the road
He bestowed on him the dignity he felt the boy was owed
He picked up the body and buried him gentle and good
And by his own hand he carved him a marker of wood
And the boy had no papers to tell of his name
A penniless lad without fortune or fame
So he chiselled the wood with these words true and clear
"Somebody's Darling lies buried here"
And seasons came with wind and rain and many an angry storm
Till the words that he carved in the wood were becoming quite worn
So he added a stone after thirty-eight years
Saying "Somebody's Darling lies buried here"
When William Rigney passed away they laid his corpse to rest
In the place where stood that poor boy's grave, it was his last request
And inscribed these words upon his stone
The man who laid Somebody's Darling in the grave beside his own
William Rigney is a name that should be widely known
Although he had no money, nor estates to call his own
And Ministers and Presidents turn desperate folk away
And newsmen peddle hatred for them every single day
They're only human beings same as you and me
But it seems our politicians leave them drowning in the sea
Out of sight and out of mind they really just don't care
Out upon the waves Somebody's Darling drowning there
They'd rather drink Champagne and give another speech
And ignore Somebody's Darling washed up on the beach
Unknown soldier, unknown sailor, unknown refugee
Each Somebody's Darling and deserving dignity
It pains me sore to see the way so many people do
Pour scorn upon the one and yet revere the other two
William Rigney is a name that should be better known
Although he had no money, nor estates to call his own
© Rob Waldteufel
