My heart cried like a beaten child br Ceaselessly all night long; br I had to take my own cries br And thread them into a song. br br One was a cry at black midnight br And one when the first cock crew -- br My heart was like a beaten child, br But no one ever knew. br br Life, you have put me in your debt br And I must serve you long -- br But oh, the debt is terrible br That must be paid in song.