Scorn Not His Simplicity Written by Phil Coulter

I debated on posting this one. You may know that I am interested in learning about disability history and also hearing music that relates to Down syndrome. Music can really help express emotions and experiences and help us cope and heal. Having a child with a disability can be a journey consisting of many different emotions, so I am drawn to songs about parenting a child who happens to have special needs. Usually I look for happy songs or songs about the meaning behind having such a child. I came across Phil Coulter’s song, Scorn Not His Simplicity. Coulter’s first born son had Down syndrome. A few months after his birth, Coulter wrote this song. I did find something on the internet that said that his son died at the age of three, although I am not sure how accurate that is. Luke Kelly intially performed the song, but I have attached a clip of Sinead O’Connor (I loved her music growing up afterall). You can find Luke Kelly recordings on YouTube.

I don’t like all of the lyrics (like the ones about emptiness and despair), but I am still drawn to the song because it says a lot of things to me - it speaks honestly about guilt, fears, and helplessness. Sometimes we have to go with our feelings in these areas too and express them - it is only natural (especially when your child is little). It talks about the early raw emotion in finding out about your child’s disability - it isn't sugar coated. We do have fears and rough times and that is ok. I have to remind myself of this, and that is what this song does for me. In addition, it also says a lot about how parents are impacted by how society views their child. I hope that everyone looks at Quinn as the beautiful child that she is and will be, but I know that there will be some who will not view her this way. This song speaks to those fears.

See the child
With the golden hair
Yet eyes that show the emptiness inside
Do you know
Can we understand just how he feels
Or have we really tried

See him now
As he stands alone
And watches children play a children's game
Simple child
He looks almost like the others
Yet they know he's not the same

Scorn not his simplicity
But rather try to love him all the more
Scorn not his simplicity
Oh no
Oh no

See him stare
Not recognizing the kind face
That only yesterday he loved
The loving face
Of a mother who can't understand what she's been guilty of

How she cried tears of happiness
The day the doctor told her it's a boy
Now she cries tears of helplessness
And thinks of all the things he can't enjoy

Scorn not his simplicity
But rather try to love him all the more
Scorn not his simplicity
Oh no
Oh no

Only he knows how to face the future hopefully
Surrounded by despair
He won't ask for your pity or your sympathy
But surely you should care

Scorn not his simplicity
But rather try to love him all the more
Scorn not his simplicity
Oh no
Oh no
Oh no



-Karyn