Janis Ian
Lyric guide

Society's Child

Read Society's Child lyrics by Janis Ian on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Janis Ian visibility2 visits
person Curated by Ethan Walker LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot

The page facts to cite before the commentary

Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Janis Ian Canonical path: /janis-ian/society-s-child Related lyric paths: 6
Lyrics

Society's Child

The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.

Come to my door, baby,

face is clean and shining black as night.

My mother went to answer, you know,

and you looked so fine.

Now I can understand your tears and your shame.

She called you "boy" instead of your name.

When she wouldn't let you inside.

When she turned and said

"But honey, he's not our kind."

She said I can't see you any more, baby.

Can't see you anymore.

Walk me down to school, baby.

Everybody's acting deaf and blind.

Until they turn and say

why don't you stick to your own kind.

(Not sure about the rest of this verse. It sounds to me like)

My teachers all laugh, they smirk and stare.

Cutting deep down in our affair.

Preachers of equality. They say "Believe us"

but why won't they just let us be?

They say I can't see you anymore, baby.

Can't see you anymore.

One of these days I'm gonna stop my listening,

Gonna raise my head up high.

One of these days I'm gonna raise my glistening wings and fly.

But that day will have to wait for awhile.

Baby, I'm only society's child.

When we're older things may change.

But for now this is the way they must remain.

I say I can't see you any more, baby.

Can't see you anymore.

No, I don't wanna see you any more, baby.

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "Society's Child"?

Janis Ian performs "Society's Child", and this lyric page sits inside the Janis Ian catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Society's Child"?

Yes. The related section below points to Stars and Sugar Mountain with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Janis Ian?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Janis Ian's lyric pages.

Song Room

Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song

Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.

Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.

No listener comments on Society's Child yet.