How Long
by Jackson Browne
Album:"World In Motion "
(1989 on Elektra Records)
"How Long" is an eloquent cry for peace and change and includes a beautiful acoustic lap steel guitar from David Lindley. Because I think it is one of the most meaningful songs Jackson has ever written, I choose to include it on our list of Protest Songs in spite of the fact that it was written in the 80's and not the 60's.
Lyrics:
When you look into a child's face
And you're seeing the human race
And the endless possibilities there
Where so much can come true
And you think of the beautiful things
A child can do
How long -- would the child survive
How long -- if it was up to you
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
How long -- can you hear someone crying
How long -- can you hear someone dying
Before you ask yourself why?
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
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
How long -- can you hear someone crying
How long -- can you hear someone dying
Before you ask yourself why?
And how long will it be 'till 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?
(c) 1989 SWALLOW TURN MUSIC (ASCAP)
