the magpie

a young girl in your office
i guess she could be twelve years old
is looking neither sad nor lonely
“she’s an expert”, you’ve been told

inside her pocket you do find
a stolen wallet and a ring
and in her eyes you read the pride
of someone who’s got nothing

the little magpie
has been caught
red-handed in the act
the little magpie
made a haul
and that was incorrect

you know the rules by head and heart
you are a servant to the law
you think you’re wise and super smart
in fact you’re dumb and bloody raw

that’s why you press it out of her
“what’s your name? where are you from?”
though you know she’d never tell
or if she did she’d tell it wrong

the little magpie
has been caught
red-handed in the act
the little magpie
made a haul
and that is incorrect

o brother detective
this song ain’t for you
i know that you’re good
and you’re kindness is true
o brother detective
this song ain’t for you
it’s for all the policeman
who are shady and cruel