Once

When the time had come
Many times before
Many lives before
Many wives before.

When every mother's child
Every father's son
Joined the regiments
Of the generals.

When the night had gone
And the day had dawned
We realized how great a loss.

Just once
If we only had a single chance
Just once
With a decision that would influence the world
What would we do if we were given just once.

If the final rule
In a court of law
Could determine life
Or death for all.

Or punishment
Of the innocent
And negligence
Of the guilty men would the world be brought to loftiness
Or fall unto its knees.

Just once
If we only had a single chance
Just once
With a decision that would influence the world
What would we do if we were given just once.

To make the wisest choice that we have ever made
To spread a word of love to every race
Just once
What would we do if we were given
Just once.