One of our amazing service users has written a beautiful song based on a true story and is donating the proceeds from any sales to SARSAS. You can read the lyrics below and listen to the song here.

Lily Anne  by Laura Iseley 2016

Lily Anne was a prostitute at the tender age of twelve

She was not destitute, but she was just a child

And it happened such a long long time, such a long long time ago

And it happened such a long long time, such a long long time ago

And I let her cry…

 

It was her papa who made sure that the Joes were not rough

But one day she knew that enough was enough

And it happened such a long long time, such a long long time ago

And it happened such a long long time, such a long long time ago

And I let her cry…

 

One day she ran away, but found herself jumping from plate to plate

Served up delicate, young and sweet, then slipping away, skidding through the streets

And it happened such a long long time, such a long long time ago

And it happened such a long long time, such a long long time ago

And I let her cry…

 

She ran and ran and ran ’til she found she could run no more

Feeling all alone, so far from home, she collapsed on a forest floor

She trembled quailed, wept and wailed until the forest seemed to shake

Everything came out so fast, she wondered if she would break…

And I let her cry…

 

She slept and when she came to, she felt that she could rise anew

Somehow many many years had passed, but she felt change begin at last

She could breathe…  Deep deep breathe…

 

Breath became sound, Sound became song, Song became strength

 

Lily Anne rose with her song, Sang it out, standing strong!

She took her child-self into loving arms, Embraced her and let her feel the calm

feel the calm… She could breathe… Deep deep breathe…

 

Breath became sound, Sound became song, Song became strength

 

Lily Anne rose with her song, Sang it out, standing strong!

She took her child-self into loving arms, Embraced her and let her feel the calm

Lily Anne rose with her song, Sang it out, standing strong!

Sang it out! Sang it strong! Sang it out! Sang it strong!