[Verse 1]
When you look into a child's face
And you're seeing the human race
The endless possibilities there
Where so much can come true
And you think of the beautiful things
A child can do

[Chorus]
How long (How long)—would the child survive?
How long (How long)?
How long (How long)—if it was up to you?

[Verse 2]
When you think about the money spent
On defense by a government
And the weapons of destruction we've built
We're so sure that we need
And you think of the millions and millions
That money could feed

[Chorus]
How long (How long)—can you hear someone crying?
How long (How long)—can you hear someone dying
Before you ask yourself why?
[Post-Chorus]
And how long will we hear people speaking
About missiles for peace
And just let it go by?
How long will they tell us these weapons
Are keeping us free?
That's a lie
How long (How long)?
How long (How long)?

[Verse 3]
If you saw it from a satellite
With its green and its blue and white
The beauty of the curve of the earth
And its oceans below
You might think it was paradise
If you didn't know
You might think that it's turning
But it's turning so slow

[Chorus]
How long (How long)—can you hear someone crying?
How long (How long)—can you hear someone dying
Before you ask yourself why?

[Post-Chorus]
And how long will it be 'til we've turned
To the tasks and the skills
That we'll have to have learned
If we're going to find our place in the future
And have something to offer
Where this planet's concerned?
How long?
How long?
How long?