Meaning of "Suffer Little Children" by The Smiths

"Suffer Little Children" by The Smiths is a haunting and melancholic song that reflects on the Moors Murders, a series of horrific child killings that occurred in Manchester in the 1960s. The lyrics paint a vivid and eerie picture of the moorlands where the bodies were buried, emphasizing the desolation and pain associated with these tragic events. The song references specific victims like Lesley-Anne Downey and Edward Evans, as well as the the murderers, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley, using their names symbolically to represent the innocence lost and the dark presence that remains. The mention of Hindley waking and confessing her involvement suggests a haunting guilt that she cannot shake off. The repetition of the phrase "Hindley wakes and says, 'Wherever he has gone I have gone'," implies a shared responsibility between the individuals involved. The lyrics also express the consequence of the crimes on the city of Manchester itself, with the line "Oh Manchester, so much to answer for" serving as a reminder of the lasting impact of such acts of violence. The song suggests a sense of collective haunting, with the victims promising to be by the side of the living until death, never allowing them to forget the atrocities committed. The final line, "The child is on the moor," reminds the listener of the innocent lives lost and the chilling presence that still lingers. Overall, "Suffer Little Children" uses poetic imagery and symbolism to convey the bleakness, pain, and haunting legacy left behind by the Moors Murders.