The Box
Once upon a time, in the land of Hush-A-Bye,
Around about the wondrous days of yore,
They came across a kind of box
Bound up with chains and locked with locks
And labeled 'Kindly do not touch; it's war.'
A decree was issued round about, and all with a flourish and a shout
And a gaily colored mascot tripping lightly on before.
Don't fiddle with this deadly box,Or break the chains, or pick the locks.
And please don't ever play about with war.
The children understood. Children happen to be good
And they were just as good around the time of yore.
They didn't try to pick the locksOr break into that deadly box.
They never tried to play about with war.
Mommies didn't either; sisters, aunts, grannies neither
'Cause they were quiet, and sweet, and pretty
In those wondrous days of yore.
Well, very much the same as now,
And not the ones to blame somehow
For opening up that deadly box of war.
But someone did. Someone battered in the lid
And spilled the insides out across the floor.
A kind of bouncy, bumpy ball made up of guns and flags
And all the tears, and horror, and death that comes with war.
It bounced right out and went bashing all about,
Bumping into everything in store.And what was sad and most unfair
Was that it didn't really seem to care
Much who it bumped, or why, or what, or for.
It bumped the children mainly. And I'll tell you this quite plainly,
It bumps them every day and more, and more,
And leaves them dead, and burned, and dying
Thousands of them sick and crying.
'Cause when it bumps, it's really very sore.
Now there's a way to stop the ball. It isn't difficult at all.
All it takes is wisdom, and I'm absolutely sure
That we can get it back into the box,And bind the chains, and lock the locks.
But no one seems to want to save the children anymore.
Well, that's the way it all appears, 'cause it's been bouncing round
for years and years
In spite of all the wisdom wizzed since those wondrous days of yore
And the time they came across the box,
Bound up with chains and locked with locks,
And labeled 'Kindly do not touch; it's war.'
poem by Lascelles Abercrombie
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
The Box
This poem was first released on the poems, prayers and promises album. it is the only album it has been released on.
Once upon a time in the land of hushabye
Around about the wondrous days of yore
I came across a sort of box
Bound up with chains and locked with locks
And labelled kindly do not touch, its war
Decree was issued round about
All with a flourish and a shout
And a gaily coloured mascot tripping lightly on before
Dont fiddle with this deadly box or break the chains or pick the locks
And please, dont ever play about with war
Well, the children understood
Children happen to be good
They were just as good around the time of yaw
They didnt try to pick the locks, or break into that deadly box
They never tried to play about with war
Mummies didnt either
Sisters, aunts, grannies neither
Cause they were quiet and sweet and pretty in those wondrous days of yaw
Well, very much the same as now, not the ones to blame somehow
For opening up that deadly box of war
But someone did
Someone battered in the lid
And spilled the insides out across the floor
A sort of bouncy, bumpy ball made up of guns and flags and all the tears and horror and the death that goes with war
It bounced right out
And went bashing all about
And bumping into everything and stored
And what was sad and most unfair is that it didnt seem to care who much it bumped
Or why, or what, or for
It bumped the children mainly
And Ill tell you this quite plainly
It bumps them every day, and more and more, and leaves them dead and burned and dying
Thousands of them sick and crying
Cause when it bumps, its really very sore
Now theres a way to stop the ball
It isnt difficult at all
All it takes is wisdom, Im absolutely sure that we could get it back into the box
And buy the chains and lock the locks
No one seems to want to save the children any more
Well, thats the way it all appears
Cause its been bouncing round for years and years
In spite of all the wisdom wiz since those wondrous days of yaw
And the time they came across the box
Bound up with chains and locked with locks
And labelled kindly do not touch, its war
Words by lascelles
song performed by by John Denver
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Man In Chains
Ive only myself to blame,
Now that Im tangled up in chains,
So you say, ooh, so you say
Caught in this human cage,
Trapped, and Im fired up with rage
And somebodys got to pay
I can never talk about it,
I can never say what I want to say
So Ill take your tip and Ill bite my lip
And hope it goes away
You say Im a man of straw
Well, baby, Im gonna break your law
Then its war, ooh, yes its war
Love on a thin white line,
Love that was just a waste of time,
Oh, not anymore
I can feel it coming at me,
I can feel it coming like the wind
But, Im locked away and Im bound to stay,
So no one can get in
Im a man in chains, Im a man in chains
Oh, Im a man in chains, Im a man in chains
I only pray that before I die,
Just like a phoenix I will rise and fly
Tell me whos to blame,
Oh, Im a man, now Im a man in chains
There must be a reason why
Youre pulling the wool down on my eyes
Its a lie, its a lie
Dragging this ball and chain,
Oh, how long can I take this pain?
But somebody has to try, yeah
Oh, I can feel the pressure on me,
I can feel it taking me from the start
Sticks and stones will smash my bones,
But never break my heart
Im a man in chains, Im a man in chains
Oh, Im a man in chains, Im a man in chains
I only pray that before I die,
Just like a phoenix I will rise and fly
Tell me whos to blame,
Oh, Im a man, now Im a man in chains
I can never talk about it,
Oh, I can never say what I want to say
So Ill take your tip and Ill bite my lip
And hope it goes away
Im a man in chains, Im a man in chains
Oh, Im a man in chains, Im a man in chains
I only pray that before I die,
Just like a phoenix I will rise and fly
Tell me whos to blame,
Oh, Im a man, now Im a man in chains
song performed by by Spandau Ballet
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Door To Door
All us angels wearing studs
Yeah, plastic mouth melts in the sun
Oo, running colors everyone
Cause were all in prison having fun
Oh, perfect pictures hang around
Well, delusions swing you up and down
Well fall out windows climb up trees
Im lookin for tranquillity
Hmm, got your, o locks and chains
Well, still gonna blow your brains out
Those locks and chains
No, nah, never felt like a dream like you before
(ahh,ahh, ahh, ahh)
Even knocking door to door
Oo yeah, I never felt like a dream like you before
(ahh,ahh, ahh, ahh)
Even knocking door to door
Oo, yeah you got your herds of people choosing arms
Gonna keep us all in mass alarm
Oh, murder movies make your day
Ah, ah, living in the usa
Cracked up people on the edge
They got no heroes got no bread
Oh, get the jitters get the shakes
Lookin like (? ) the final take
Ooh, well locks and chains
Gonna protect you
Well locks and chains
Dont feel no more
Never felt a dream like you before
(ahh,ahh, ahh, ahh)
Even knocking door to door
Oh, never felt a dream like you before
(ahh,ahh, ahh, ahh)
Even knocking door to door
Ha- shh, oo
Yeah locks and chains
Well gonna blow your brains out?
Yeah locks and chains
Cant feel no more
Never felt a dream like you before
(ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh)
Even knocking door to door
Uh well I never felt a dream like you before
(ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh)
Oo, even knocking door to door
Oh, livin in a dream is all the same
Ah, yeah livin in a dream is a-all the same
Oh never felt a dream like you before
(ahh, ahh, ahh, ahh)
Even knocking door to door (door)
Door to door
song performed by by Cars
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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After The Fox
Who is the fox - I am the fox
Who are you - I am me
Who is me - Me is a thief
You'll bring your poor, poor mother grief
So after the fox, after the fox
Off to the hunt with chains and locks
So after the fox, after the fox
Someone is always chasing after the fox
Where is the gold - It's on the truck
Where's the truck - I won't tell
You must tell - Then I will lie
You'll make your poor, poor sister cry
So after the fox, after the fox
Off to the hunt with chains and locks
So after the fox, after the fox
Someone is always chasing after the fox
Why do you steal - So I'll be rich
Why not work - Work is hard
You'll be caught - I never fail
All little crooks wind up in jail - Not me not me
So after the fox, after the fox
Off to the hunt with chains and locks
So after the fox, after the fox
Someone is always chasing after the fox
After the fox
After the fox
After the fox
song performed by by Hollies
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Barefoot Children
Scratch my back with a lightning bolt
Thunder rolls like a bass drum note
The sound of the weather is heaven's rag time band
We all fell down from the milky way
Hanging round here 'till judgment day
Heaven only knows who's in command
Chorus
Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
We'd be swinging on a ball and chain
It's always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain
Show me yours and I'll show you mine
Take me back to days full with monkey shine's
Bouncing on a bubble full of trouble in the summer sun
Keep your raft from the riverboat
Fiction over fact always has my vote
And wrinkles only go where the smiles have been
Chorus
Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
We'd be swinging on a ball and chain
It's always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain
la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la
Barefoot children in the rain
Scratch my back with a lightning bolt
Thunder rolls like a bass drum note
The sound of the weather is heaven's rag time band
The sky turns blue and the sun appears
But the question's still "what are we doing here?"
I don't think the answer's close at hand
Chorus
Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
We'd be swinging on a ball and chain
It's always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain
in the rain
in the rain
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chains About My Heart
Out of my sight / but the vision is still the same
Out of my mind / but the memory remains unchanged
Stones thrown in anger hold twice the hurt
Return to sender could only make things worse
Girl, youve got to break these chains around my heart
Cause Ive been lonely too long
Youve got to break these chains around my heart
So I can finally get on with my life
Dont ask me why / why Ive lived with this all alone
Locked up inside / and its cutting me to the bone
Love is a stranger avoiding me
Beware of dangers the only sign I see
Girl, youve got to break these chains around my heart
Cause Ive been lonely too long
Youve got to break these chains around my heart
So I can finally get on with my life
Are you listening / is there something that youd like to say
Am I getting through / are you just gonna leave me this way
Girl, youve got to break these chains around my heart
Before it tears me in two
Youve got to break these chains around my heart
Thats all Im asking of you
Youve got to break these chains around my heart
Cause Ive been lonely too long
Youve got to break these chains around my heart
So I can finally get on with my life
song performed by by Richard Marx
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Love In Chains
I see you walkin down the street
Youre turnin into paradise
The boys are crawlin at your feet
Burn them and turn them to ice
No one gets a piece of your heart
Its over cause you wont let it start
You keep your love in chains, love in chains
And only fear remains and keeps your love in chains
But isnt it time (enough), isnt it time (enough)
Oh yeah
They know you feel just like a queen
Baby, are you havin life
But all the things theyd never seen
Stab at your heart like a knife
No one knows the way that you love
Its over when its never begun
You keep your love in chains, love in chains
And only fear remains and keeps your love in chains
But isnt it time (enough), oh, isnt it time (enough)
Oh yeah
But isnt it time (enough), oh isnt it time (enough)
You keep your love in chains, love in chains
And only fear remains and keeps your love in chains
But isnt it time (enough), oh isnt it time (enough)
Love in chains, love in chains
Love in chains, love in chains
Love in chains, love in chains
Love in chains, love in chains
Love in chains
song performed by by Kiss
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chains Of Love (Fetter Dub Dub)
How can I explain
When there are few words I can choose
How can I explain
When words get broken
Do you remember
There was a time ahaha
When people on the street
Were walking hand in hand in hand
They used to talk about the weather
Making plans together
Days would last forever
Come to me, cover me, hold me
Together we'll break these chains of love
Don't give up, don't give up
Together with me and my baby
Break the chains of love
Do you remember
Once upon a time ahaha
When there were open doors
An invitation to the world
We were falling in and out with lovers
Looking out for others
Our sisters and our brothers
Come to me, cover me, hold me
Together we'll break these chains of love
Don't give up, don't give up
Together with me and my baby
Break the chains of love
Together we'll break these chains of love
How can I explain
When there are few words I can choose
How can I explain
When words get broken
We used to talk about the weather
Making plans together
Days would last forever
Come to me, cover me, hold me
Together we'll break these chains of love
Don't give up, don't give up
Together with me and my baby
Break the chains of love
Together we'll break these chains of love
song performed by by Erasure
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chains Around My Heart
Out of my sight
But the vision is still the same
Out of my mind
But the memory remains unchanged
Stones thrown in anger hold twice the hurt
Return to sender could only make things worse
Chorus
Girl, youve got to break these chains around my heart
Cause Ive been lonely too long
Youve got to break these chains around my heart
So I can finally get on with my life
Dont ask me why
Why Ive lived with this all alone
Locked up inside
And its cutting me to the bone
Love is a stranger avoiding me
Beware of dangers the only sign I see
Chorus
Are you listening
Is there something that youd like to say
Am I getting through
Are you just gonna leave me this way
Girl youve got to break these chains around my heart
Before it tears me in two
Youve got to break these chains around my heart
Thats all I am asking of you
Youve got to break these chains around my heart
Cause Ive been lonely too long
Youve got to break these chains around my heart
So I can finally get on with my life
song performed by by Richard Marx
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Broke Away
I live a perfect lie
All I ever want lies forgiven
Took away all of those chains and say
They broke away, they broke away
Do you lead a better life
Even when the sweet turns to bitter
Took away all of our chains and said
They broke away, they broke away
Walking round outer space
Knowing that youve had a taste
Walking round and out of place
And knowing what youre gonna do
To break down those chains
I cant tell you
Took away all of our chains and say
Broke away, they broke away
Got away with my ambition
Only if I want it
Only if I dont
Took away all of those chains and say
They broke away, they broke away
Walking round and out of place
Knowing that youve had a taste
Walking round out of place
Nothing what youre gonna do
To break out on me
I cant tell you
Took away all of your chains and say
They broke away, they broke away
And knowing what youre gonna do
To break down those chains
I cant tell you
Take away all of those chains and say
They broke away, they broke away
song performed by by Wet Wet Wet
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chains Of Love
How can I explain
When there are few words I can choose
How can I explain
When words get broken
Do you remember
There was a time ahaha
When people on the street
Were walking hand in hand in hand
They used to talk about the weather
Making plans together
Days would last forever
Come to me, cover me, hold me
Together well break these chains of love
Dont give up, dont give up
Together with me and my baby
Break the chains of love
Do you remember
Once upon a time ahaha
When there were open doors
An invitation to the world
We were falling in and out with lovers
Looking out for others
Our sisters and our brothers
Come to me, cover me, hold me
Together well break these chains of love
Dont give up, dont give up
Together with me and my baby
Break the chains of love
Together well break these chains of love
How can I explain
When there are few words I can choose
How can I explain
When words get broken
We used to talk about the weather
Making plans together
Days would last forever
Come to me, cover me, hold me
Together well break these chains of love
Dont give up, dont give up
Together with me and my baby
Break the chains of love
Together well break these chains of love
song performed by by Erasure
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chains On My Neck
Chains On My Neck
I’m black here I sit with chains on my neck
I’m beside other black men with chains on their necks
I’m waiting but while I wait my mind
takes me to my village
There, there is my home
I built it with my hands and my brothers hands
I built it with my sweat and pride
a very, very fine house indeed
But I am here sitting with chains on my neck
Beside other black men with chains on their necks
I see in my minds eye my fine house
I bring in furniture, built by my hands and my father’s hands
Strong furniture made with care from the best trees
But I am here sitting with chains on my neck
Beside other black men with chains on their necks
I see again in my minds eye my fine house
I bring in my spear, ax and shield
Deadly weapons to attack or defend
I mount them on the wall of my fine house
But I am sitting with chains on my neck
Beside me other black men with chains on their necks
I shake my chains and my house is on the other end of my chains.
Copyright 2005
poem by Watchful Steward
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I'm Gonna Be Somebody
Bobby played his guitar on the harder side of town
Where it's hard for the poor boy to find the money
He had dedication, he had the heart and soul
Somehow knew he was born to play
People said "Get a real job, support your family
'Cause there's no future in the road you're taking"
He never said a word, the dreamer just kept on
But late at night you could hear him say
He said
"I'm gonna be somebody
One of these days I'm gonna break these chains
I'm gonna be somebody someday
You could bet your hard earned dollar I will
The road was a struggle, took him ten years to the top
Now he's #1 on the stage and the radio
Still he can't believe how they come from miles around
When it only seems like yesterday he was sayin'
"I'm gonna be somebody
One of these days I'm fonna break these chains
I'm gonna be somebody someday
You could bet your hard earned dollar I will"
Bobby played his hometown one full moon August night
When he heard a voice in the front row singin'
It was a sandy- haired Rebel boy with the same old hungry eyes
Looked up at Bobby and said
"I'm gonna be somebody
One of these days I'm gonna break these chains
I'm gonna be somebody someday
You could bet your hard earned dollar I will"
Mmmmmm
"I'm gonna be somebody
One of these days I'm gonna break these chains
I'm gonna be somebody
You could bet your hard earned dollar I will"
Oh, yes I will
You could bet your hard earned dollar
I will
song performed by by Travis Tritt
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chain Of Fools (feat. Pointer Sisters)
Clint Black & The Pointer Sisters
Chain chain chains (Chain chain chains)
Chain chain chains (Chain chain chains)
Chain chain chain
Chain of fools
For four long years
I thought you were my man
But I found out
I'm just a link in your chain.
You got me where you want me
I ain't nothin but your fool
You treated me mean
Oh, you treated me cruel.
Chain chain chain (Chain chain chains)
Chain of fools
Every chain
Has got a weak link
I might be weak child
Oh, but I'll give you strength.
OOh. OOh.
You told me to leave you alone
My mother said, come on home
My doctor said, take it easy
But your lovin' is much too strong
I'm added to your.
Chain chain chain (Chain chain chains)
Chain chain chain (Chain chain chains)
Chain chain chain
Chain of fools.
--- Instrumental ---
One of these mornings
That chain is gonna break
But up until then
I'm goin'a take all I can take, oh yeah.
Chain chain chain (Chain chain chains)
Chain chain chain (Chain chain chains)
Chain chain chain
Chain of fools.
Chain chain chain (Chain chain chains)
Chain chain chain (Chain chain chains)
Chain chain chain
Chain of fools, oh yeah...
--- Instrumental with oops till fade ---
song performed by by Clint Black
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Only Those With The Key
The gate has been locked,
To block access...
To those once accustomed,
To free entry and free reign.
And this has been suggested...
Maybe one's own finding,
Of a home on the range...
Suitable for the deer and the antelope,
To play.
And any mumbling heard is one's own
The gate has been locked,
To block out the physical.
And that which appears limited.
But one 'spirited' in mind,
Can choose to look over the gate.
Or through its cracks.
Or...
Sit to wonder why THIS gate attracts.
And gates with locks that block,
To stop what's coming in...
Seem to imprison those behind them,
Rarely to come out to test the locks.
And only those with the key,
Know what it is used for.
AND...
Its history to be known or not!
Since whoever has got the key,
Needs not to peek or have interest in the doing.
Only those with the key to the gate that locks,
To block in or not to block out...
Do not concern themselves with peeking.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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These Chains
Everything crashed
His wife left him
He lost all of his money
And most of his friends
He lay awake all night
Lonely and desperate
Contemplating
Starting again
(these chains are all your own
These chains are comfortable)
4.00 in the morning
Sat in the kitchen
Keys on the table
Went out for a drive
He didnt know
Where he was going
Didnt know
If he was alive
The dawn was breakin
A new day was rising
Shadows creepin over the fields
Over the fields
He watched the pink light
Steal across the horizon
He realised
He saw with new eyes
These chains are all your own
These chains are comfortable
This cage was never locked
Born free but scared to be
These chains are all your own
These chains are comfortable
These chains were never locked
Born free but scared to be
This cage was made for you
With care and constant attention
This cage is safe and warm
Will you die and never know what its like to be/live
Outside.
song performed by by Marillion
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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No Peace Anymore
All the troubles and wars
blood spills and pours
this is the times of revelation
that we destroy all creation
blue skies turn black
days gone we can't get back
this is the end of time
we crossed that thin line
their's no peace anymore
And this is all we have left
between love and theft
children killing children
these are the things we teach them
behind locked doors
their's no peace anymore
Tear down the walls
just to put up new ones
mankind falls
still we never learn
we just let it all burn
their's no peace anymore
We suffer persecution
tortured and put to death
for your belief
you're only just a martyr
in your eye we mortify
as we watch another one die
take your last breath
this is all that remains
their's no peace anymore
Tied to chains
you hide behind repulsion
and their's no resolution
one with power refrains
on your knees he restrains
just like so many times before
and their's no peace anymore
(spiritwind-2003)
poem by Spiritwind Wood
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Us Oldies
It is that time of the year,
when my birthday is looming in the air
and I begin to feel quite ancient.
I felt old when my children
presented me with their children
and made me a grandparent,
but when their children
started having children of their own
and stuck a great in front of grandparent
you really begin to feel ancient,
especially when you haven’t retired yet.
When we were young,
oh, those lovely blessed days
when the summers seem to last forever
and the sun always shone.
Life was much more laid back then.
Oh where have they all gone?
Then came the teenage years
opening up all our dreams
of being some kind of superstar.
Yes, I remember them so well,
the music and the romance in the air.
Sometimes I hark back
to those days way back then.
Next, you are an adult
with responsibilities and children of your own.
From there you are on a downward slope
at least that is what some people say.
Well, don’t you believe it;
you’re always as young as you feel.
You can still go out and play
those young kids games.
Personally, I never grew up,
as my friends will testify.
I still have my Peter Pan persona,
Hip Hip Hooray.
I may not drink,
but I can act as crazy as if I do
and that makes life much more fun
being like me a kind old fool.
Kid think they are the only ones
who can have fun,
don’t you believe it,
us oldies can have fun too.
13 June 2008
poem by David Harris
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Barefoot Children In The Rain
Scratch my back with a lightning bolt
Thunder rolls like a bass drum note
The sound of the weather is heavens ragtime band
We all fell down from the milky way
Hangin round here till judgment day
Heaven only knows whos in command
Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
Wed be swingin on a ball and chain
Its always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain
Show me yours and Ill show you mine
Take me back to days full of monkeyshines
Bouncin on a bubble full of trouble in the summer sun
Keep your raft from the riverboat
Fiction over fact always has my vote
And wrinkles only go where the smiles have been
Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
Wed be swingin on a ball and chain
Its always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain
La la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la
Barefoot children in the rain
Scratch my back with a lightning bolt
Thunder rolls like a bass drum note
The sound of the weather is heavens ragtime band
The sky turns blue and the sun appears
But the questions still what are we doin here
I dont think the answers close at hand
Barefoot children in the rain
Got no need to explain
Wed be swingin on a ball and chain
Its always understood by those who play the game
Barefoot children in the rain
In the rain...
In the rain...
song performed by by Jimmy Buffett
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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There Are No Children Here
The untrained eye
Walks down the street
And sees children
But they're not children
There are no children here
Adults look back
With hungry eyes
And someone thinks
''They're just children
With a mother and a father
Never any fear''
And they kid themselves
As there are no mothers
No fathers
Because there are no children here
Terror doesn't care
As they cry over there
It lets someone stare
Through the sight of a gun
Seeing everyone
And just for fun
Shoot them
People rush around crying
''But they were just children!
They were just children! ''
A man with a gun
Turns and runs
But as he does they hear
''They aren't children''
And
''They weren't children''
And
''You need to know:
There are no children here''
No one makes a sound
Listening to the truth he's found
And they know:
It's our fault
We didn't save them
We could have saved them
If we cared
There would be children here
poem by Violet Llewellyn
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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