WAR CHILD

　

Little girl, trying to sleep in your bed

don’t listen to the sound of the bombs nearby

just close your eyes and try not to cry

and let your brother sing you a lullaby.

And don’t listen to the noise of the guns

as the bullets flash by your door, don’t cry

just think of the peace found in sleep

while your brother sings you a lullaby.

Little girl, as you sleep in your bed

when you dream, try not to dream of the day

when soldiers came with their guns

and took your father away.

And when you wake up to a new day

looking for the sun, through the dust and smoke

try to find some hope in that terrible place

as you and your brother strive to cope.

Little girl, war is the world of grown ups

and there is nothing you can do

even if you tell them of your fear and sorrow

no one will listen to you.

But when the war is over and done

and you no longer hear an exploding shell

maybe your young life will be a better place

more like Heaven and less like Hell.