From the recording Sing for the Children
This song was borne out of frustration... during the mid and late 1990's it was becoming all too commonplace to hear about shootings at middle and high schools around the country. The day we were set to record the lead vocals was a day that will live forever in the minds of those who watched it unfold on television.. the day that Columbine happened. We need to pray for our children more now than ever before. The idea for having the children singing on this song was a no-brainer. There is a mention of a "Johnny Sunshine" in the song. That was my tribute to the late John Denver. I wanted to write in a style that I believe he would have written in and I know he would have wanted to have children singing the chorus with him. That... and the final sound of children laughing to fade out the song. I didn't write or record this song nearly as good as he would have, but I think he would've given a thumbs up and perhaps even said, "Far out!".
Special thanks to Dorothy Ybarra and the Children's Choir of St. Brigid Catholic Church in San Antonio.
Lyrics
Walking down the road to another place and timeWhen the world was just a playgroundFor the dreams we left behind
The laughter and the sunshine, the smile of yesterdayThey're calling me, calling meThey're calling me to say we've got to
Sing for the children, sing for tomorrowSing for the memory of a day that's yet to comeSing for the children, sing for tomorrowSing for the memory of a day that's yet to come
Come back, Johnny SunshineCan you come out and playThe cloud that's hanging over us it just won't go away
The shots heard 'round the worldIn the playground of my mindHave stopped the world from spinning 'roundWe're running out of time we've got to
Sing for the children, sing for tomorrowSing for the memory of a day that's yet to comeSing for the children, sing for tomorrowSing for the memory of a day that's yet to come
See how we laugh, see how we playSee how we live, see how we praySing a song of love and put your hand in mineTogether find a better way, together we can try
Sing for the children (see how we laugh)Sing for tomorrow (see how we play)Sing for the memory (see how we live)Of the day that has begun (see how we pray)
[repeat until fade out]