Credit
“Innocent Child” is a song by the South African rock band Arapaho (from Durban), released as a single in 1995.
It was later remastered and included on their album The Wicked Selection (2018). The track is known for its emotional, socially conscious lyrics addressing child abuse, trauma from one’s own childhood, and the cycle of violence.
Key Lyrics (compiled from available sources)
The song has a strong anti-abuse message with a repeating chorus:
Verse 1 It’s the victim of your childhood Makes this hard to believe That this could be the one you loved, so deep
Chorus Don’t take your rage out on An innocent child Don’t take your rage out on An innocent mind Because the scars you will bear Are for the rest of your life
Later verses include: The violin master Of this childhood disaster That scream and stress in your head is no excuse
Evil desire Has gone too far Find someone else your own age This child’s a mess
(The chorus repeats with emphasis on not passing on trauma.)
The band’s frontman Gavin Meiring has discussed the lyrics in interviews/videos, emphasizing their direct, hard-hitting intent.
