2026 Competition Entry:
SAVE THE CHILDREN by Chris Oledude
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Lyrics
© 1983 Christopher R. Owens (ASCAP)
VERSE 1:
Sellers of death, you tell a lie;
wish to live, but work to die!
Traders in murder every day;
blood won’t wash your sins away!
Building an arsenal of tears –
glass-house peace from solid fear.
Strength needing strength, but, in the end,
the hardest hit are under ten!
Violent nations on all sides!
As the bombs fall, hear the babies cry!
VERSE 2:
How does a bomb apologize
to the child who’s lost her eyes?
How can our governments explain
the randomness of the insane?
Wrongs always right as we defend
rights all wrong for innocents!
Natives, invaders, helping hands …
all cause graveyards to expand!
Violent nations on all sides!
as the bombs fall, hear the babies cry!
CHORUS:
People, save the children!
Why should they have to die?
Give me one good reason
why they should die for our sins!
VERSE 3:
What is democracy in death…
sacred freedoms never felt?
What is an opportunity
when bombs threaten you and me?
Parents, the children dying there
are your children dying here.
Raised in acceptance of the bombs,
is your child just a bit too calm?
Callousness from fear rules their lives.
Will they still care when the babies cry?
CHORUS:
People, save the children!
Why should they have to die?
Give me one good reason
why they should die for our sins!
VERSE 1:
Sellers of death, you tell a lie;
wish to live, but work to die!
Traders in murder every day;
blood won’t wash your sins away!
Building an arsenal of tears –
glass-house peace from solid fear.
Strength needing strength, but, in the end,
the hardest hit are under ten!
Violent nations on all sides!
As the bombs fall, hear the babies cry!
VERSE 2:
How does a bomb apologize
to the child who’s lost her eyes?
How can our governments explain
the randomness of the insane?
Wrongs always right as we defend
rights all wrong for innocents!
Natives, invaders, helping hands …
all cause graveyards to expand!
Violent nations on all sides!
as the bombs fall, hear the babies cry!
CHORUS:
People, save the children!
Why should they have to die?
Give me one good reason
why they should die for our sins!
VERSE 3:
What is democracy in death…
sacred freedoms never felt?
What is an opportunity
when bombs threaten you and me?
Parents, the children dying there
are your children dying here.
Raised in acceptance of the bombs,
is your child just a bit too calm?
Callousness from fear rules their lives.
Will they still care when the babies cry?
CHORUS:
People, save the children!
Why should they have to die?
Give me one good reason
why they should die for our sins!
Author
Bio
Chris “Oledude” Owens is a singer-songwriter who reconnected with composition and performance in 2020, following the death of his wife. He was raised on classical, folk and social justice music, as well as Motown, Classic Rock, and Funky R&B/Soul music. Chris has worked in the private, non-profit and public sectors and is now focused on being a creative activist.
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