O Children
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds Lyrics

Pass me that lovely little gun My dear, my darling one The cleaners are coming, one by one You don't even want to let them start
The singer is asking their loved one to hand them a gun since the cleaners are coming to clean up their mess. They advise their loved one not to resist.

They're knocking now upon your door They measure the room, they know the score They're mopping up the butcher's floor Of your broken little hearts
The cleaners have arrived and are knocking on the door. They know exactly what happened and are here to clean up the mess that was made of the singer's and their loved one's broken hearts.

(Oh, children) Forgive us now for what we've done It started out as a bit of fun Here, take these before we run away The keys to the gulag
The singer asks for forgiveness from the children and admits that what they did was wrong. They give them the keys to a place where they can find refuge and a place to be safe.

(Oh, children) (Lift up your voice, lift up your voice) (Children) (Rejoice, rejoice)
The artist wants the children to have hope and to lift their voices up in joy and celebration.

Come on Come on Come on Come on Here comes Frank and poor old Jim They're gathering round with all my friends We're older now, and the light is dim And you are only just beginning
The artist and their friends, who are getting old, are gathering around the children. They acknowledge that they are growing old while the children are only just beginning their journey in life.

Oh, children We have the answer to all your fears It's short, it's simple, it's crystal-clear It's roundabout and it's somewhere here Lost amongst our winnings
The singer reassures the children that they have an answer to all their fears. It's something simple, but not easily found. It is hidden amongst the singer's past victories.

The cleaners have done their job on you They're hip to it, man, they're in the groove They've hosed you down, you're good as new And they're lining up to inspect you
The cleaners have done their job and have cleaned up the children. They are pleased with their work and are lining up to inspect the children.

Oh children Poor old Jim's white as a ghost He's found the answer that we lost We're all weeping now, weeping because There ain't nothing we can do to protect you
One of the artist's friends, Jim, is distressed and has found something that the artist had lost. They all weep because they realize that they cannot protect the children from the harsh realities of life.

(Hey little train, we're jumping on) (The train that goes to the Kingdom) We're happy, Ma, we're having fun And the train ain't even left the station
The artist and friends are jumping on a train that they believe will take them to a better place. They are excited and happy despite the fact that they haven't even left yet.

(Hey, little train, wait for me) (I once was blind but now I see) And have you left a seat for me? Is that such a stretch of the imagination?
The artist asks the train to wait for them and they express how they can see clearly now, despite being blind before. They ask if there is still a place for them on the train, hoping it's not too late to join the journey.

(Hey little train, wait for me) (I was held in chains but now I'm free) I'm hanging in there, don't you see? In this process of elimination
The singer again asks the train to wait and states that they were once held captive but are now free. They are still holding on tight and trying to make it through difficult times.

(Hey little train, we're jumping on) (The train that goes to the Kingdom) We're happy, Ma, we're having fun (children) It's beyond my wildest expectation (oh, children)
The artist and their friends are still excited, jumping on the train and making their way towards a place they believe to be better. They are beyond happy and amazed that their wildest dreams have come true.