I once worked for a battered women's organization - I today discovered Suzanne Vega's song Luka

Luka / Suzanne Vega:

My name is Luka
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes I think you've seen me before

If you hear something late at night
Some kind of trouble, some kind of fight
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was

I think it's because I'm clumsy
I try not to talk too loud
Maybe it's because I'm crazy
I try not to act too proud

They only hit until you cry
And after that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore

Yes I think I'm okay
I walked into the door again
If you ask that's what I'll say
And it's not your business anyway

I guess I'd like to be alone
With nothing broken, nothing thrown
Just don't ask me how I am
Just don't ask me how I am
Just don't ask me how I am

My name is Luka
I live on the second floor
I live upstairs from you
Yes I think you've seen me before

If you hear something late at night
Some kind of trouble, some kind of fight
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was
Just don't ask me what it was

They only hit until you cry
And after that you don't ask why
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore
You just don't argue anymore

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Suzanne Vega
Luka lyrics © Wb Music Corp., Waifersongs Ltd.

Me and many others lived this song. It gets it all exactly right.

For a different version, it's long been a staple of Evan Dando and The Lemonheads' live shows, starting back in the late eighties. They even did a music video for it. It's a pretty different version, especially when done with that "War Pigs" intro, but I've always thought it was powerful and respectful.

Ms. Vega's songbook has long been a favourite of mine. She paints vivid images with simple language and clever musical devices.