Fear Quote by Shel Silverstein
““You should have heard the old men cry You should have heard the biddies When that sad stranger rasied his flute And piped away the kiddies. Katy, Tommy, Meg, and Bob Followed skipping gailey Red-haired Ruth, my brother Ron, And little crippled Bailey Jon and Nils and Cousin Claire Dancin', spinnin', turnin' 'Cross the hills to god knows where- They never came returnin'. 'Cross the hills to god know where The piper pranced a leadin'. Each child in Hamlin town but me And I stayed home unheedin'. My papa says that I was blest For if that music fond me I'd be witch-cast like all the rest. This town grows old around me. I cannot say I did not hear That sound so hauntin' hollow. I heard, I heard, I heard it clear... I was afraid to follow.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Unpublished lyric collection, 1970s
A child watches others leave for unknown places, feeling fear and isolation, believing music may bring danger.
In simple terms: Children leave, fear stays.
Key Takeaway
Listen, but stay safe.
Themes
fear
isolation
music
departure
superstition
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
poetic
narrative
When to use this quote
- Rural life
- family expectations
- personal anxiety
- cultural folklore
Key Concepts
Folklore
coming of age
community
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the music symbolize for you?
- How does fear shape your choices?
A Different Perspective
Music may be a catalyst for ostracism in some societies.
