[Verse 1]
When you look into a child's face
You are seeing all the human race
The endless possibilities there
Where so much can come true
And you think of the beautiful things
A child can do

[Chorus]
How long—can a child survive?
How long—if it was up to you?

[Verse 2]
When you think about the money spent
On defense by the government
The weapons of destruction we build
We're so sure that we need
And you think of the millions and millions
That money could feed

[Chorus]
How long—can you hear someone crying?
How long—can you hear someone dying
Before you ask yourself why?

[Post-Chorus]
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?
It's a lie
[Verse 3]
If you saw it from a satellite
With its green and with its blue and white
The beauty of the curve of the earth
And the oceans below
You might think it was paradise
If you didn't know
You might think it was turning
But it's turning so slow

[Chorus]
How long—can you hear someone crying?
How long—can you hear someone dying
Before you ask yourself why?

[Post-Chorus]
How long will it be 'til we've turned
To the tasks and the skills
We'll have to have learned
If we're going to find our place in the future
Have something to offer
Where this planet's concerned?
How long?
How long?