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Behind The Wall

Tracy Chapman

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Behind The Wall

Last night I heard the screaming

Loud voices behind the wall

Another sleepless night for me

It won't do no good to call

The police

Always come late

If they come at all

Last night I heard the screaming

Loud voices behind the wall

Another sleepless night for me

It won't do no good to call

The police

Always come late

If they come at all

And when they arrive

They say they can't interfere

With domestic affairs

Between a man and his wife

And as they walk out the door

The tears well up in her eyes

Last night I heard the screaming

Then a silence that chilled my soul

I prayed that I was dreaming

When I saw the ambulance in the road

And the policeman said

quot;I'm here to keep the peace

Will the crowd disperse

I think we all clould use some sleep quot;

Last night I heard the screaming

Loud voices behind the wall

Another sleepless night for me

It won't do no good to call

The police

Always come late

If they come at all

LanguageEnglish
Translated byAllen Morningstar

About this Song

Behind The Wall by Tracy Chapman addresses the issue of domestic violence and the lack of intervention from authorities. The song tells a harrowing story of a neighbor overhearing violent disputes from the next apartment or house. Despite the narrator’s calls for help, the police are either unable or unwilling to intervene, saying they cannot interfere in domestic affairs. The song is a poignant reflection on the isolation and helplessness felt by victims of domestic violence, as well as the societal indifference that often surrounds such situations. The key themes include domestic violence, the inadequacy of legal interventions, and the emotional turmoil of witnessing abuse. Particularly poignant moments include the stark imagery of hearing screams and the frustration of the police's non-response, which highlights the broader issue of systemic failure in addressing domestic abuse.

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