How Long

[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?