Candy Man - David Ackles

Oscar saved his money

When he came home from the war

Traded in his good left hand

For payment on a store

He said, «I'm just as good as new!

Who needs more hands than one?»

The only men stood when he walked through

And proudly called him, «Son»

Oscar bought a candy store

In the nicest part of town

The called him the one-armed candy man

The crippled clown

And he wore their laughing, liquorice crown calling

«Come on down!»

Oscar laughed and waited

The loving, patient man

See the children trusting him?

Th do not know his plan

He takes their coppr pennies

He gives them extra treats

Hiding little picture books

In every bag of sweets

Last week a girl came crying home

«Look what I found today!

I got it from the candy man

Who’s giving them away.»

Her mother said, «Love is not that way

Dear God, he’ll pay!»

When the parents came for Oscar

He said, «I'm not ashamed

I took their minds as payment due

The healthy for the maimed.»

The day he went to prison

He called, «now do you see?

I only did to some of you

What you all did to me!»

Oh, no! I’m not the candy man

My injuries are few

But the world that made me what I am

Must owe me something too

And I only want what is my rightful due

From you and you