From the recording Sparrows
Story: Jenny is a composite of two people I personally know, with details changed to protect their identities. It breaks my heart to know this story is just one of millions of similar stories happening every day around our planet. I wish I'd titled this song "Wings and halos", but the song's main character threatened to haunt me if I didn't title it Jenny. It's the second most downloaded song I've put out so far, next to Wait For Me. It's heartbreaking, but the fact that it's real and true means it resonates with people on a human level.
I hope Jenny's baby one day meets his birth mother, and hopefully understands that her choice to surrender him was one of deep love and sacrifice.
Interesting fact: the string quartet actually recorded as an ensemble in my livingroom, wires and microphones hanging from the upstairs banister. They were fabulous!
Lyrics
Jenny
(c) 2003, Serina Jung
Jenny turned fifteen yesterday
exactly six months and four days
since she left the house
'cause mamma's boyfriend came to stay
she took a west-bound bus to get lost
somewhere in L.A.
Jenny has a waiting job in a late-night pub
her I.D. says she is of age
and though the photograph doesn't look like her
they'd never say a thing
'cause so many girls come and go this way
where do angels go
when their wings and halos are broken?
where do angels go
if they can't fly home?
Jenny says she's doing fine
but she's tired and worried all the time
she feels her belly move as she picks up her tip
and counts out a buck in dimes
she'd give anything to rush home to her mamma's side
where do angels go
when their wings and halos are broken?
where do angels go
if they can't fly home?
Jenny doesn't give her boy a name
she tells the nurse to take him away
then she cries herself to sleep
and prays her little sister is okay
so many girls come and go this way
yeah, so many girls come and go this way
where do angels go
when their wings and halos are broken?
where do angels go
if they can't fly home?