In this tragic tale, Little Susie took her own life because of gross indifference to her well-being. One by one, her folks passed away. Father abandoned them, leaving mother and gram-father to wither in the grave.
Years later, she was grafted into an unloving family. Though she was adopted, they did not take her in. Loneliness seeped it's cold dead fingers upon her tender heart. Until she couldn't bear it much longer. Although it was technically an accident. She subconsciously threw herself down the stairs to escape the pain.
Although the story is clearly fictitious, Michael was proving a point. "Neglect can kill. Like a knife in your soul. O, it will". A message he wanted so desperately to get through.
If you have a copy of The "History Album", I'd encourage you to listen to the song on earphones late at night(if not then turn up your speakers and listen to it here). The feeling is amazing! Now I'm not much for Classical Music(the intro is sampled from Sunrise-Sunset). But the Cathedral Opera vocal harmonies, the cutting edge storyline, and Michael's own voice make this an unforgettable orchestral experience!
Michael Jackson wrote this in 1979(inspired by Thomas Hood's "Bridge of Sighs). Yet it was never recorded until The History Sessions. Brad, Michael, and Brucie all contributed to the making of this tragic tune.
Lyrics To Little Susie
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...
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...
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...
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...
It was all for God's sake
For her singing the tune
For someone to feel her despair
To be cursed to know hoping is dead and you're doomed
Then to scream out
And nobody's there...
She knew no one cared...
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
Rejecting the needs in her prayers...
Neglect 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
(fading)
Next: Smile!
