Where Do the Children Play?

Album: Tea For The Tillerman (1970)
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  • Well, I think it's fine
    Building jumbo planes
    Or taking a ride on a cosmic train
    Switch on summer from a slot machine
    Yes, get what you want to if you want
    'Cause you can get anything

    I know we've come a long way
    We're changing day to day
    But tell me, where do the children play?

    Well, you roll on roads
    Over fresh green grass
    For your lorry loads
    Pumping petrol gas
    And you make them long
    And you make them tough
    But they just go on and on
    And it seems that you can't get off

    Oh, I know we've come a long way
    We're changing day to day
    But tell me, where do the children play?

    Well, you've cracked the sky
    Scrapers fill the air
    But will you keep on building higher
    'Til there's no more room up there?
    Will you make us laugh?
    Will you make us cry?
    Will you tell us when to live?
    Will you tell us when to die?

    I know we've come a long way
    We're changing day to day
    But tell me, where do the children play? Writer/s: Yusuf Islam
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

  • Debra Kay Garrett Bruton from Dallas,texas Cat Stevens I would listen to all day along with Neil Young & getting songs listed for my funeral. Three Neil Young songs "There's a World", & "One Of These Days", & "When I Die", Cat Stevens "Where Do The Children Play", & "There's A World", & Joe Cocker "Little Help From My Friends". I want all my friends to hear what the've all meant in my life along with my children & family.
  • John from Detroit, MiAll time favorite song.
    Never hear it on the radio or satellite.
    Must mean something.
  • Billy from West Unity, OhThis was one of the many songs from Tea for the Tillerman that got extensive radio play. It is also one of my favorites. That whole album is FANTASTIC!!!!!
  • John from Jasper, CanadaHaving listened to this song countless times,I finally understood what he is trying to convey;it was far ahead of it time-rings true today.
    John,jasper ab canada
  • Bernie from Greensboro, NcGreat live clip:

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=C2rDp6FnbP0

    Clip using Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax"

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=XjdVOfnYkyA

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