There’s an army of children who gathered in the night
They are your sons and daughters who’ve been wounded by the light
They rise up angry singing this song
Called, “How Long Can This Go On And On And On”
It’s the peaceful one inside us whose time it is to die
Words are words and guns are guns the children cry
Will you give us just one reason to survive
Give us just one reason to survive
Are you just a little numb, for it’s gone on for so long
Can you still feel the pain as they engrave your name again
On the weapons that they choose, what the hell is left to lose
‘Cause when your back’s against the wall, you’re bound to fall
You ask me why the river’s running blood red to the sea
It’s because your sons and daughters don’t know anymore than me.
But why the bombs still come screaming down and fall
Why the bombs still come screaming down at all
It’s the peaceful one inside us whose time it is to die.
Words are words and guns are guns the children cry
Will you give us just one reason to survive?
Give us just one reason to survive
Are you just a little numb, ’cause it’s gone on for so long
Can you still feel the pain as they engrave your name again
On the weapons that they make, what the hell is left to take?
‘Cause when your back’s against the wall, you’re bound to fall
There’s an army of children who gathered in the night
They are your sons and daughters who’ve been wounded by the light.
They rise up angry singing this song,
Called, “How Long Can This Go On And On And On”
How long can this go on and on and on
They are your sons and daughters who’ve been wounded by the light
They rise up angry singing this song
Called, “How Long Can This Go On And On And On”
It’s the peaceful one inside us whose time it is to die
Words are words and guns are guns the children cry
Will you give us just one reason to survive
Give us just one reason to survive
Are you just a little numb, for it’s gone on for so long
Can you still feel the pain as they engrave your name again
On the weapons that they choose, what the hell is left to lose
‘Cause when your back’s against the wall, you’re bound to fall
You ask me why the river’s running blood red to the sea
It’s because your sons and daughters don’t know anymore than me.
But why the bombs still come screaming down and fall
Why the bombs still come screaming down at all
It’s the peaceful one inside us whose time it is to die.
Words are words and guns are guns the children cry
Will you give us just one reason to survive?
Give us just one reason to survive
Are you just a little numb, ’cause it’s gone on for so long
Can you still feel the pain as they engrave your name again
On the weapons that they make, what the hell is left to take?
‘Cause when your back’s against the wall, you’re bound to fall
There’s an army of children who gathered in the night
They are your sons and daughters who’ve been wounded by the light.
They rise up angry singing this song,
Called, “How Long Can This Go On And On And On”
How long can this go on and on and on
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Album: The Perfect High
Words & music by Bob Gibson and Irma Brown
A song for Phil Ochs
Dark protest theme written from the viewpoint of children afraid for the their future. Although this song was written long ago, it resonates today. It’s performed here by Bob Gibson and Anne Hills.
Bob Gibson Folk