Think Of The Children

Song Meaning

The lyrics immediately plunge into a profound meditation on the future, framed by the arrival of new life. The speaker urges a collective introspection, asking us to "Think of a woman" and the children she'll bring. There's an urgent, almost anxious tone, questioning "What will we give them?" and "What will they see?" This initial concern quickly evolves into a stark environmental anxiety. The lyrics juxtapose a remembered natural world – "blue was once the colour" of water, "trees and streams that we once knew" – against a potential future where these are replaced by "the side of a building." This creates a powerful tension between a cherished past and a potentially desolate future, highlighting a deep fear of ecological loss. The recurring chorus introduces a fascinating internal conflict, distinguishing between "Something that I've seen" and "Something that I've dreamed." The "seen" reality prompts a sobering reflection, making the speaker "stop and think" about the children. Yet, it's the "dreamed" element that offers a fragile solace, providing "one last thing to believe in," suggesting that hope might stem from vision or imagination rather than current reality. The effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their direct, almost interrogative approach, forcing the listener to confront uncomfortable questions about legacy and environmental stewardship. By grounding the existential dread in specific, yet universally understood images of nature's potential loss, and then offering a glimmer of belief born from a dream, the lyrics create a resonant call for awareness and a quiet plea for a better future for "All of the children."