I keep to myself what I might share with others
But they don't seem to understand
I open my mouth to rediscover
That I don't have the words at [bad word] 
Holdin' out for a world so much better
But I'm a stranger in a stranger's land
All my friends have sold out, couldn't handle the pressure
Countin' their blessings, tryin' to salvage what they can

Children say, children say
"We open our minds as one"
But one more day slips away
Why don't the dreams of the young [bad word] to be?

When I overhear my parents' conversations
Well, I'm [bad word] by the things they say
It seems they traded the years for [bad word] Who ever thought it could end this way

They close the door but they can't lock it
'Cause somethin' of their childhood remains
And they've felt it before, when the man in their pocket
Counted the cost of their material gains

Children say, [bad word] what may
Be strong for the friends you've known"
But one fine day, far away
Can we remember the love we used to own?

Children say, children say
"We open our minds as one"
As one more day slips away
Why don't the dreams of the young [bad word] to be?

Everybody hear them say

Well, you knew what I was sayin'
But did you know what it meant?
When you saw that look in my eye
Did you know it was heaven sent?

Was it all a wakin' dream?
All that time we must have spent
Well, I guess it must have been
Somehow that feelin' came and went

Children say, [bad word] what may
Be strong for the friends you've known"
But one fine day, far away
We remember the love we used to own

Children say, children say
"We open our minds as one"
As one more day slips away
Why don't the dreams of the young [bad word] to be?

And all children say
Children say, children say
And all children say
Children say, children say

Hear just them say
Children say, children say
All children say
Children say, children say