Barbra Streisand - Children Will Listen Lyrics

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