I agree with Silvermurp with regards to the paternal instinct that Morrissey may be feeling while possibly knowing he may never have children of his own owing to his possible sexual preferences.
I found this idea reinforced upon reading the lyrics on the sleeve of the 1984 'The Smiths' vinyl, which very interestingly states instead of 'I once had a child and it saved my life, but I never even asked his name', as he says on the album, reads 'I once had a child, it saved my life but whom I never even gave a name'. This suggests a completely different scenario and that the song relates to a child who has been born unto him and has been taken from him or that he gave away, rather than the tenuous suggestions that the song is about child abuse and the like.
This of course is based on my assumption that the lyric sheet is printed with the lyrics that Morrissey provides before recording, and he may have altered lyrics or just said what came naturally when recording his vocals for the track.
Nevertheless the difference between the written lyrics and what is actually said is very thought provoking, especially on such a poignant line.
I agree with Silvermurp with regards to the paternal instinct that Morrissey may be feeling while possibly knowing he may never have children of his own owing to his possible sexual preferences.
I found this idea reinforced upon reading the lyrics on the sleeve of the 1984 'The Smiths' vinyl, which very interestingly states instead of 'I once had a child and it saved my life, but I never even asked his name', as he says on the album, reads 'I once had a child, it saved my life but whom I never even gave a name'. This suggests a completely different scenario and that the song relates to a child who has been born unto him and has been taken from him or that he gave away, rather than the tenuous suggestions that the song is about child abuse and the like.
This of course is based on my assumption that the lyric sheet is printed with the lyrics that Morrissey provides before recording, and he may have altered lyrics or just said what came naturally when recording his vocals for the track.
Nevertheless the difference between the written lyrics and what is actually said is very thought provoking, especially on such a poignant line.