Fourteen in the Year 2000
Words and Music by Lisa Locke, 2000
1. She turned 14 in the year 2000
East of nowhere, in a little town
Old enough to remember that there was work there
When the Soviets took metal from the ground
She’s at the top of her class, now
Of ten, at the secondary school
They tell her don’t forget that college costs money
With none of that, there’s nothing out there for you
Chorus: Fourteen in the year 2000
And she knows that life is work
Determination burns in her blue blue eyes
She’s fourteen in the year 2000
And growing up hurts
But if anyone will, this one will survive
2. She gathered what grows wild in the forest
This summer, to earn a little pay
She saved it up, to buy herself some books with
Like some romantic scholar of olden days
It must be cold when the wind blows
And her coat is getting small
But she walks straight and proud through the snowy streets
And says she doesn’t feel the wind at all
3. One day in school they noticed
She was looking a little weak
Next thing they knew she was on the floor
And the teachers were talking as they helped her to her feet
They said she’s had no breakfast today
Mom and Dad are on the bottle, again
Selling all their harvest for the stuff that makes them forget
And it made them forget all too well
Bridge: This is the year 2000
And the future is here
On the internet we’re all the same
And in the Silicon Valley the smart kids reign
This is the year 2000
And she’s fourteen, and she’s fourteen
Last Chorus: Fourteen in the year 2000
And she knows that life is work
Determination burns in her blue blue eyes
She’s fourteen in the year 2000
And growing up hurts
And it’s not enough, no it’s not enough
It’s not enough to just survive