| Oscar saved his money |
| When he came home from the war |
| Traded in his good left hand |
| For payment on a store |
| He said, «I'm just as good as new! |
| Who needs more hands than one?» |
| The only men stood when he walked through |
| And proudly called him, «Son» |
| Oscar bought a candy store |
| In the nicest part of town |
| The called him the one-armed candy man |
| The crippled clown |
| And he wore their laughing, liquorice crown calling |
| «Come on down!» |
| Oscar laughed and waited |
| The loving, patient man |
| See the children trusting him? |
| Th do not know his plan |
| He takes their coppr pennies |
| He gives them extra treats |
| Hiding little picture books |
| In every bag of sweets |
| Last week a girl came crying home |
| «Look what I found today! |
| I got it from the candy man |
| Who’s giving them away.» |
| Her mother said, «Love is not that way |
| Dear God, he’ll pay!» |
| When the parents came for Oscar |
| He said, «I'm not ashamed |
| I took their minds as payment due |
| The healthy for the maimed.» |
| The day he went to prison |
| He called, «now do you see? |
| I only did to some of you |
| What you all did to me!» |
| Oh, no! I’m not the candy man |
| My injuries are few |
| But the world that made me what I am |
| Must owe me something too |
| And I only want what is my rightful due |
| From you and you |