Hungry boy, stealing bread on the streets of Rome, Grabs a crust, runs away, flying swiftly home. Hunger gnaws from deep inside, pain that won’t be stilled, Makes of life a thing of shame, to take what hunger wills. Angry youth, taking bread on the streets of Rome, Steals the loaves, swaggers on, proud they’re not his own. Hunger quelled, it soon returns, a need he can’t deny, Though he sneers, the boy inside, in pain, can only cry. Sweating man, labors on earning daily bread, Eating it to ease the pain, wishing he were dead. Slave to needs he can’t deny, slave to those unknown — Oh to still be stealing bread on the streets of Rome. Ancient man, begging bread on the streets of Rome, Takes a crust to his mouth, crying all alone. Hunger gone, his passions stilled, tears well in his eye, Eating bread no longer sweet, ’till God will let him die.