Children Will Listen

How do you say to your child in the night
Nothing's all black, but then nothing's all white?
How do you say it will all be alright
When you know that it mightn't be true?
What do you do?

Careful the things you say, children will listen
Careful the things you do, children will see and learn
Children may not obey, but children will listen
Children will look to you for which way to turn
To learn what to be
Careful before you say, "Listen to me"
Children will listen

Careful the wish you make, wishes are children
Careful the path they take, wishes come true, not free
Careful the spell you cast, not just on children
Sometimes the spell may last past what you can see
And turn against you
Careful the tale you tell, that is the spell
Children will listen

How can you say to a child who's in flight
Don't slip away, and I won't hold so tight?
What can you say, that no matter how slight won't be misunderstood?
What do you leave to your child when you're dead?
Only whatever you put in its head
Things that your father and mother had said
Which were left to them too

Careful what you say, children will listen
Careful you do it too, children will see and learn
Guide them, but step away, children will glisten
Tamper with what is true and children will turn if just to be free
Careful before you say, "Listen to me"
Children will listen

Children will listen
Children will listen