Children Will Listen; Not While I'm Around

[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 alright"
When you know that it might not be true
What do you do?

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.

How can you say to a child who's in flight
"Don't slip away and I won't hold so tight"?
What can you say that no matter how slight
Won't be misunderstood?
What do you leave to your child when you're dead?
Only whatever you put in it's head
Things which your mother and father had left to them too.

Careful what you say
Children will listen
Careful you do it to
Children will see and learn
Guide them but step away
Children will glisten
Temper with what is true
And children will turn
If just to be free
Careful before you say
"Listen to me"
Children will listen
Children will listen.

Children, children will listen.

[Not While I'm Around]

Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around
Nothing's gonna harm you, no sir, not while I'm around.

Demons are prowling everywhere, nowadays
I'll send 'em howling
I don't care, I got ways.

No one's gonna hurt you
No one's gonna dare
Others can desert you
Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there.

Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while
But in time...
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around.

Not to worry, not to worry
I may not be smart but I ain't dumb
I can do it, put me to it
Show me something I can overcome
Not to worry, Mum.

Being close and being clever
Ain't like being true
I don't need to
I would never hide a thing from you
Like some...

No one's gonna hurt you, no one's gonna dare
Others can desert you
Not to worry, whistle, I'll be there!
Demons'll charm you with a smile, for a while
But in time...
Nothing can harm you
Not while I'm around.