Polyxena lyrics by Janani K. Jha
Oh, Polyxena, shield your eyes from the sun
Just for a second, just for a second more
You can still let this world stay a happy one
For just one more second, your life’s only begun
Begun
I saw in my mind’s eye the crumbling castles
Disasters raining like falling arrows
This is just the way things are
For women like me, whispers in the hallways
Always observant, always in shadows
This is just the way things are
Ooh
I didn’t want this for you
But what could I do?
So listen to me sing a little longer
Soon, the darkness comes with all the monsters
But look around, the fields are full of songbirds’
Closing words:
“Oh, Polyxena, shield your eyes from the sun
Just a second, just for a second more
You can still let this world stay a happy one
For just one more second, your life’s only begun
Begun”
Stories as old as they are unkind
Wrong time, wrong place, not our war to wage
This is just the way things are
Another girl caught up in the crosshairs
Not fair to ask for war, and then take more
This is just the way things are
Ooh
I didn’t want this for you
But what could I do?
What could I do?
What could I do?
What could I do?
What could I do? (What could I-)
What could I do? (What could I-)
What could I do? (What could I-)
What could I do? (What could I-)
(Ah)
Oh, God, what can I do?
When this is what it’s come to?
Want this city on fire
But it’s already done
It’s all funeral pyres
Nothing left to be won
So I’ll sit here, and I’ll watch her
There’s no mercy for the conquered
But I won’t go quiet, no, I can’t let ’em win
So at least I can sing
When the knife goes in
Oh, Polyxena, shield your eyes from the sun
You leave a world that doesn’t deserve your love
But just a second, just for a second more