My train of thought was broken by a sudden burst of laughter
  Something badly needed to brighten up the chores
  Seemed old Mrs. Bailey had accidentally fell
  In the water being used to scrub the floors
  Now Mrs. Bailey was the meanest matron at the home
  She believed in lots of work with little play
  And we laughed till we bent double
  Though we knew we'd get in trouble
  But trouble's all we had at evening shade
  Now evening shade was where they claim to teach you understanding
  To teach you love and keep you off the streets
  And all the kids that live here are said to be a problem
  Juvenile delinquents so to speak
  
  But understanding isn't learned from punishment and anger
  An iron has no gentle touch and love ain't learned from hate
  The reason we were here is 'cause we had no one who cared
  But they cared even less at evening shade
  
  Little Susan Bradley, one night had wet her bed
  Mrs. Bailey took the razor strap and beat her half to death
  And I knew that something must be done to put an end to this
  And so I started talking plans with the older kids
  
  Plans were that Joe Johnson would steal the kerosene
  And I would get some matches when nobody seen
  Beckie Adams would make sure the kids were all outside
  Billy Watson would look out for the evil eye
  
  Now Mrs. Bailey took a nap at three o'clock each day
  We knew that she'd be a'sleeping as the plans got underway
  Now that its all over and the sun is going down
  There's no evening shade 'cause we burned it to the ground