How Long

When you look into a child's face

And you're seeing the human race

And the endless possibilities there

Where so much can come true

And you think of the beautiful things

A child can do



How long -- would the child survive

How long -- if it was up to you



When you think about the money spent

On defense by a government

And the weapons of destruction we've built

We're so sure that we need

And you think of the millions and millions

That money could feed



How long -- can you hear someone crying

How long -- can you hear someone dying

Before you ask yourself why?

And how long will we hear people speaking

About missiles for peace

And just let it go by

How long will they tell us these weapons

Are keeping us free

That's a lie



If you saw it from a satellite

With its green and its blue and white

The beauty of the curve of the earth

And its oceans below

You might think it was paradise

If you didn't know

You might think that it's turning

But it's turning so slow



How long -- can you hear someone crying

How long -- can you hear someone dying

Before you ask yourself why?

And how long will it be 'till we've turned

To the tasks and the skills

That we'll have to have learned

If we're going to find our place in the future

And have something to offer

Where this planet's concerned

How long?


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