For the Children - John Schumann
The lady from the paper asked me
Would I write a song for you
I didn't know you then but now I do
And I'm stuck in this motel room
With an empty aching heart
And the miles roll out between us
And they're tearing me apart
All I've got are tunes and rhymes
This one's for you
May you always feel the sunshine
And take time to taste the rain
May your friends be true and caring
And I hope you are the same;
And in your fleeting passage
Leave a little bit behind
For the children who will follow
In your footsteps
Along the sands of time
I dreamed there was a world for you
Without the rush of rockets
And the thump of khaki gunships in the sky
But there were rows of eucalyptus
And trains for little boys
And tadpoles in a still black creek
And playgrounds full of noise;
In my vision fear and greed
And anger were the only things to die
May the wind blow gently through your life
May your principles be strong;
May you stand up and be counted
When they work out right from wrong
May your nights be short and peaceful
May your days be warm and long;
May your music be a service
May they pause sometime and listen to your song
And here's this little voice
Reaching down the phone
"Dad you've been away so long
When are you coming home "
The lady from the paper asked me
Would I write a song for you
I didn't know you then but now I do
And I'm stuck in this motel room
With an empty aching heart
And the miles roll out between us
And they're tearing me apart
All I've got are tunes and rhymes
This one's for you
May your eyes be filled with kindness
May the seeds of wisdom grow
May you seek for truth and beauty
And when you find it may you know
May you help feed those who are hungry
And comfort those who hurt
May you always fright for justice
For all of us who walk upon the earth