I Gave My Children

Lyrics by Katie Roche

I gave my children to each other birthed a couple years a part

The gift of a sibling in this lonely violent world

When they fight like any kids do I remind them of this truth

They are born to love each other in this world of endless war

I gave my son and daughter as a gift to each other

Each a reminder we must do right by each other

I read them books of every color and sang songs from every land

Bathed in warm clean water and placed their feet upon the land

I fed them apples from the orchard and laughter by the bushel

Berries picked so gently from the lush and prickly bush

We ate animals with reverence and spoke sadly of their eyes

Wondering if we were right to take their simple lives 

Because the world it is boiling, it is brinking and it teeters

As men tinker with their borders, praying to the dollar 

And these men who played no role In the creation of my children

Say it’s my children’s obligation to carry out their feuds

I gave my children to each other, my son and my daughter 

And I tell you as all mothers they will not be fodder

No they will not be fodder in your rich man's war

And every war is a rich man's war

Give children apples from the orchard and laughter by the bushel

Berries picked so gently from the lush and prickly bush

And eat animals with reverence, and speak sadly of their eyes

Wondering if we were right to take their simple lives 

And I tell you as all mothers, our children will not be fodder

our dear sons and our dear daughters, no they will not be fodder

No, they will not be fodder, in your rich man's war

And every war is a rich man's war