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 all right
When you know that it might not be true?
What do you do?

What do you leave to your child when you're dead?
Only whatever you put in it's head
Things that you're mother and father had said
Which were left to them too
Careful what you say.

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.