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The Gypsy's Daughter Enters the Third Reich

by Don Whitaker

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about

Sometimes overlooked in discussions of the Holocaust are the conditions of the Gypsies, or Roma, who were subjected to the same attempt at genocide by the Nazi. Over 200,000 Gypsies lost their lives in the Holocaust. This song is the story of a Gypsy father and his nine year old daughter, as they are led towards the ovens in Auschwitz. The lyricist, the poet Ward Kelley, says, “these lyrics came from the saddest poem I ever published, but I thought it important the story of this small family was told. The poem, named the same as the song, was later nominated for the Pushcart award, and became one of my most reprinted poems. Still, I must admit, it’s difficult for me to read or contemplate this story.”

lyrics

Verse 1
In this heartless dry air, she’s so brave,
her eyes say it’s me she just forgave,
her nose flexes from the arid scent,
they mean to kill us, they won’t relent,
to kill a child, it’s most deprave,
in this heartless dry air, she’s so brave,

Chorus
Nothing I can do,
I know we’re through,
wish I knew
what to do.

Verse 2
God, this dark world, such volumes of hate
her life must be exchanged to equate
this Nazi formula: lives for greed,
I can only hold her hand, a feckless deed,
And on my lungs, a relentless weight
in this dark world, such volumes of hate.

Instrumental


Chorus
Nothing I can do,
I know we’re through,
wish I knew
what to do.



Ending

And so I lift her little finger
with my callused hand,
a humble wave goodbye
to our sinful world,


and I pray this is the proper response
to this horror . . .
to meet it bravely
with the smallest act of beauty.

Chorus
Nothing I can do,
I know we’re through,
wish I knew
what to do.

to meet it bravely
with the smallest act of beauty.

credits

released February 16, 2016
Don Whitaker
Ward Kelley

license

all rights reserved

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about

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Don Whitaker Greencastle, Indiana

His first introduction to performing occurred at age six, when he found himself standing atop bars at local VFWs to sing covers – his efforts adding to Don’s stash of quarters for his pinball fascination. Don has been playing professionally since the age of 15, appearing in the horn section of the touring band, Morning Star, while also taking his turn at the mic as a young singer. ... more

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