For the Children
Words and Music by Tom May


(Originally released on the Vignette album. Open Spaces, Prairie Winds (out of print) 1987)


You will be born in springtime
There’s no better season here
The cottonwood will be full of birds, there is magic in the air
As the earth becomes reborn again, we will take you in our arms
Try to keep you warm on the winter’s night, try to shield you from all harm

I hope you have the chance to be, whatever you want to be
To have the joy of travel, see the sight that I have seen
The comfort of good friendship, the sweet pain of lovin’ too
I hope it is a wide, and a peaceful world for you

Myself and your mother, we often talked at night
About the times that we live in, and if having you was right
To change the world is not easy, but I hope that you will try
And in our own way we will help you, before we say goodbye

I hope you have the chance to be, whatever you want to be
To have the joy of travel, see the sight that I have seen
The comfort of good friendship, the sweet pain of lovin’ too
I hope it is a wide, and a peaceful world for you

If a boy you will be, I hope your strength is kind
And be gentle with the women, we owe each of them our lives
If a girl you will be, I hope that kindness makes you strong
That you are like your mother, and boy or girl, that you love a good song

I hope you have the chance to be, whatever you want to be
To have the joy of travel, see the sight that I have seen
The comfort of good friendship, the sweet pain of lovin’ too
I hope it is a wide, and a peaceful world for you

©1982 Blue Vignette Publishing, ASCAP