Little Susie / Pie Jesu Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Somebody killed little Susie
The girl with the tune
Who sings in the daytime at noon
She was there screaming
Beating her voice in her doom
But nobody came to her soon
[Chorus]
A fall down the stairs
Her dress torn
Oh, the blood in her hair
A mystery so sullen in air
She lie there so tenderly
Fashioned so slenderly
Lift her with care
Oh, the blood in her hair
[Verse 2]
Everyone came to see
The girl that now is dead
So blind stare the eyes in her head
And suddenly a voice from the crowd said
This girl lived in vain
Her face bear such agony, such strain
Somebody killed little Susie
The girl with the tune
Who sings in the daytime at noon
She was there screaming
Beating her voice in her doom
But nobody came to her soon
[Chorus]
A fall down the stairs
Her dress torn
Oh, the blood in her hair
A mystery so sullen in air
She lie there so tenderly
Fashioned so slenderly
Lift her with care
Oh, the blood in her hair
[Verse 2]
Everyone came to see
The girl that now is dead
So blind stare the eyes in her head
And suddenly a voice from the crowd said
This girl lived in vain
Her face bear such agony, such strain
[Chorus]
But only the man from next door
Knew little Susie and how he cried
As he reached down
To close Susie's eyes
She lie there so tenderly
Fashioned so slenderly
Lift her with care
Oh, the blood in her hair
[Bridge]
It was all for God's sake
For her singing the tune
For someone to feel her despair
To be damned to know hoping is dead and you're doomed
Then to scream out
And nobody's there
She knew no one cared
[Verse 3]
Father left home, poor mother died
Leaving Susie alone
Grandfather's soul too had flown
No one to care
Just to love her
How much can one bear
Neglecting the needs in her prayers
But only the man from next door
Knew little Susie and how he cried
As he reached down
To close Susie's eyes
She lie there so tenderly
Fashioned so slenderly
Lift her with care
Oh, the blood in her hair
[Bridge]
It was all for God's sake
For her singing the tune
For someone to feel her despair
To be damned to know hoping is dead and you're doomed
Then to scream out
And nobody's there
She knew no one cared
[Verse 3]
Father left home, poor mother died
Leaving Susie alone
Grandfather's soul too had flown
No one to care
Just to love her
How much can one bear
Neglecting the needs in her prayers
[Chorus]
Neglection can kill
Like a knife in your soul
Oh, it will
Little Susie fought so hard to live
She lie there so tenderly
Fashioned so slenderly
Lift her with care
So young and so fair
Neglection can kill
Like a knife in your soul
Oh, it will
Little Susie fought so hard to live
She lie there so tenderly
Fashioned so slenderly
Lift her with care
So young and so fair
About
Genius Annotation
Written by Michael circa 1978 but recorded for the HIStory album, the song’s thought-provoking lyrics narrate the fictional death of a neglected little girl named Susie. It is an orchestral waltz, which is an unusual composition for Michael but is simply another example of his genius and depth as an artist.
The first verse mentions a tune that she sings, perhaps a way to comfort herself in her loneliness.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
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Credits
Producer
Writer
Arranger
Vocals
Synthesizer
Typography
Recording Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Mastering Engineer
Copyright ©
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Released on
June 16, 1995
Little Susie / Pie Jesu Interpolations
Little Susie / Pie Jesu Covers
Little Susie / Pie Jesu Remixes
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