You're tired and you're poor
You long to be free
But in this Godforsaken land
You find no home, no family
On the many roads that you've wandered
Since the day of your birth
You've become one of the last
Lonely and wretched

Your hair is matted
Your face and hands are dirty
And the years that you've toiled
Must number somewhere near thirty
The deepening of a sadness
Broke finally into madness
You are truly one of the last
Lonely and wretched

Your eyes are wild and frightening
At the same time they are blessed
And I wonder if God died
Turned his back or only just rested
And you walked out on the seventh day
Through the big gates and on your way
To become one of the last
Lonely and wretched
For once you were a child
Your cheeks were red
You were well fed
You laughed and played
Till you got teary
Ran to your mother
When you were weary

But somewhere you were forsaken
Alone I'll not bear the blame
And somehow all was taken
Your mind, your body, your name
Forgive us our unkindness
Our desertion and our blindness
With you, all the last
Lonely and wretched
Forgive us, all the last
Lonely and wretched