My Little Shirtwaist Fire

Once it started the frail and fainthearted
Just withered to the floor
Oh, so sadly we examined hands burned badly
By that which no man fears more
The terrible flames of all that remains
Of my little shirtwaist fire

My best friend was alone in the alcove
Does anyone see her there?
Such a sweet face trapped in a staircase
By the smell of her own burning hair
And the terrible flames of all that remains
Of my little shirtwaist fire

Glow baby glow as the embers they died there
Nobody knows what we saw inside there
Twisting and burning the girls' fine young bodies
Yes, we're burning can you help us please?
Yes, we're begging, we're on bended knees
Oh, my little shirtwaist fire

Girls work hard for small rewards
Or invitations to dine
Or one kind word from one who loves them
But what I have earned is mine
The terrible flames of all that remains
Of my little shirtwaist fire

Glow baby glow as the embers they died there
Nobody knows what we saw inside there
Twisting and burning, the girls' fine young bodies
Yes, we're burning can you help us please?
Yes, we're begging, we're on bended knees
Oh, my little shirtwaist fire