The Midget's Lament
Dory Previn Lyrics

I walk in, I ain't too dumb
As a little person, I'm aware of my limitations and the challenges I face.

I know I got some handicaps t'overcome
It's difficult to be taken seriously when others only see my small stature.

I mean y'seen one midget, y'seen 'em all
People tend to generalize and stereotype little people, assuming they're all the same.

Oh yeah, midget, oh yeah, small
The terms 'midget' and 'small' may seem harmless, but they perpetuate the idea that little people aren't worth taking seriously.

And that's as far as you can see
People often judge me just by my size and don't take the time to get to know me.

Is that the sum
Am I reduced to just my size?

And total substance of me?
Don't I have other qualities that matter too?

Midgets dwarfs chimps in a zoo
The way people look at little people reminds me of how people look at animals in a zoo.

They all look alike to you
People don't bother to notice the differences between me and other little people.

Well listen good 'cause I don't lie
I'm speaking the truth about my experiences.

There's a whole lot more to me
I have a complex personality that goes beyond my size.

Than meets the eye
People tend to only see my size and not the rest of me.

And it fills my little soul with midget hate
It's frustrating and disheartening to be constantly reminded of my size, and it makes me angry sometimes.

The way that people will not learn
It's disappointing that people aren't more open-minded and willing to learn about different types of people.

To differentiate, yeah, sure midget
People tend to use the term 'midget' as if it's the only way to describe little people.

That's what you say
People who say 'midget' may not realize that it can be hurtful.

And that's as far as it goes
People don't take the time to learn more about the differences between little people.

But have you ever said
Have you ever thought about the ways in which little people are different from each other?

That's a Hungarian midget?
Little people come from all different backgrounds and cultures.

Or that's a midget
Little people have unique physical features and personalities.

With a wart on his nose?
Little people can have physical differences or medical conditions.

Have you ever taken the time to notice
Have you ever bothered to look beyond a little person's size?

A midget with curly hair
Little people can have different hair types and styles.

It isn't fair, there are skinny midgets
Little people come in all shapes and sizes, just like everyone else.

Fat midgets, gay midgets, flat midgets
Little people have unique personalities and lifestyles, just like everyone else.

There are midgets in deep despair
Little people can face challenges and struggles in their lives, just like everyone else.

Half a soul half a brain, half a heart
Little people can have physical or intellectual disabilities that make life challenging.

And twice the pain, sure they're cute
Little people may seem cute to some, but they also face a lot of discrimination and challenges.

And they're a lot of fun
Little people have a lot to offer and can be enjoyable company, just like everyone else.

But would you want your sister
Little people are people, just like everyone else. It's not fair to generalize and stereotype them.

To marry one?
Little people deserve love and respect, just like everyone else.

Midget small, that's it and that's all
People tend to define little people based solely on their size, using derogatory terms like 'midget.'

The classification it is made
Little people are often classified and stereotyped based on their size.

Midget runt, well, now I gotta be blunt
The term 'midget runt' is derogatory and hurtful.

I wish I was born
As a little person, I sometimes wish things were different.

I wish I was born a spade
I sometimes wish I belonged to another group that was more accepted in society.

Sure I would still be a midget
No matter what, I'll always be a little person.

But I would have such
Being part of another group might make life easier.

Such beautiful coloration
I envy the way other groups are valued and respected in society.

And among my fellow midgets
Even within the little person community, I sometimes feel like an outsider.

I would be a sensation
Being part of an accepted group would be a relief.

Talk about standing out in the pack
I sometimes feel invisible or unnoticed, so standing out would be nice.

Midgets dwarfs chimpanzees
People treat me like an animal when they don't treat me with respect.

Ain't it all relative
When you look at it from the outside, everything seems to be the same.

When you're on your knees?
Being little makes me feel powerless and often overlooked.

So don't tell me, don't tell me
Don't assume that you know how I feel or what I've gone through.

About minorities
Little people are part of a unique and diverse minority group.

I wish to Christ, I wish to Christ
As a little person, I sometimes feel desperate and isolated.

I was black
I wish I were part of a more accepted minority group.