Dollar Bill
Who is the leader and who the led?
(Song inspired by Michel Quoist’s “Prayer Before A Five Pound Note”)
I am the paper that buys the milk pays the boy to take away the empties paper for the paper that hangs on the wall and the paper that you read over your Shreddies I am the pay rise that took you so long the figure in your books that doesn’t tally you open up your checkbook and find I am gone for a payment on the freezer or the telly
I am the paper that pays the rent for the tenements with their stairways full of children I wrap the tobacco that blackens your lungs and I am the friend who gets the drinks in I’ll tempt you with an oyster or amuse you with a prawn or twist you up with pain to die of hunger I’ll lead you with a carrot of security and warmth ’til you’re too old for me to use you any longer
Who is the leader and who the led? The busy man has no time to reply Just give me your devotion, I’ll see that you’re fed Home and terribly dry, Home and terribly dry.
Thanks for reading! The original prayer by Quoist can be seen here.






