I always really really loved this song, and the reason for this is that I identify myself with The Wrong Child. To me, he is not disabled nor disturbed, just sensitive and introverted, spending time on his own and living in his own world. Beginning school is a shock to him and he gets picked on and bullied. Children often put the blame on being bullied on themselves, hence "I'm not supposed to be like this" (strange and odd and different). I also imagine "Let's try to find a happy game to play" is something a loving mother says to the sad child. The part about not going outside is not to be taken literally - he is wondering what it is like in the outside world where the other children jump in the tall grass and leap the sprinkler. I think these lyrics apply to outsider feelings in general.
I always really really loved this song, and the reason for this is that I identify myself with The Wrong Child. To me, he is not disabled nor disturbed, just sensitive and introverted, spending time on his own and living in his own world. Beginning school is a shock to him and he gets picked on and bullied. Children often put the blame on being bullied on themselves, hence "I'm not supposed to be like this" (strange and odd and different). I also imagine "Let's try to find a happy game to play" is something a loving mother says to the sad child. The part about not going outside is not to be taken literally - he is wondering what it is like in the outside world where the other children jump in the tall grass and leap the sprinkler. I think these lyrics apply to outsider feelings in general.