How Long

When you look into a child's face

And you're seeing the human race

The endless possibilities there

Where so much can come true

And you think of the beautiful things

A child can do

How long (How long)—would the child survive?

How long (How long)?

How long (How long)—if it was up to you?

When you think about the money spent

On defense by a government

And the weapons of destruction we've built

We're so sure that we need

And you think of the millions and millions

That money could feed

How long (How long)—can you hear someone crying?

How long (How long)—can you hear someone dying

Before you ask yourself why?

And 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?

That's a lie

How long (How long)?

How long (How long)?

If you saw it from a satellite

With its green and its blue and white

The beauty of the curve of the earth

And its oceans below

You might think it was paradise

If you didn't know

You might think that it's turning

But it's turning so slow

How long (How long)—can you hear someone crying?

How long (How long)—can you hear someone dying

Before you ask yourself why?

And how long will it be 'til we've turned

To the tasks and the skills

That we'll have to have learned

If we're going to find our place in the future

And have something to offer

Where this planet's concerned?

How long?

How long?

How long?