Why must we be so brutal
Why must we terrify the world
And bloody her knees
Why can't we bury our arguments
Instead of so many people
Let them free
All of us are innocent
None of us are innocent
We all must take responsibility
There's fortune enough among us
A higher power fair and just
Why can't we find a way to live
Peacefully
We're on our knees begging please
Why can't we hold each other's hands
Live quietly
What's to be gained from such violence
Can the world survive
This killing creed
All of us are innocent
None of us are innocent
We all must take responsibility
There's intelligence enough among us
A higher power fair and just
Why can't we find a way to live
Peacefully
Why can't we save our oceans for children's holidays
Keep our mountains and rivers safe
How can we live with ourselves
With such atrocity
Perhaps we'll see godlight one day
All of us are innocent
None of us are innocent
We all must take responsibility
There's holy land enough among us
A higher power fair and just
Why can't we learn to live
Peacefully
Why must we terrify the world
And bloody her knees
Why can't we bury our arguments
Instead of so many people
Let them free
All of us are innocent
None of us are innocent
We all must take responsibility
There's fortune enough among us
A higher power fair and just
Why can't we find a way to live
Peacefully
We're on our knees begging please
Why can't we hold each other's hands
Live quietly
What's to be gained from such violence
Can the world survive
This killing creed
All of us are innocent
None of us are innocent
We all must take responsibility
There's intelligence enough among us
A higher power fair and just
Why can't we find a way to live
Peacefully
Why can't we save our oceans for children's holidays
Keep our mountains and rivers safe
How can we live with ourselves
With such atrocity
Perhaps we'll see godlight one day
All of us are innocent
None of us are innocent
We all must take responsibility
There's holy land enough among us
A higher power fair and just
Why can't we learn to live
Peacefully
Contributed by Riccardo Venturi
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"'Why Must We Be So Brutal' is part of a 'plea for peace' song cycle of gospel-flavored jazz hymns that I wrote just after September 11. My hope is that the song will inspire all of us to think broadly and wisely, before deciding on any future course. I feel particularly fortunate to have had Werner 'Vana' Gierig as my co-writer, pianist, arranger and co-producer for this song, along with Carla Cook on vocals, Sean Conly on bass, and Alvester Garnett on drums." - Kathryn Williams.