World Citizen
David Sylvian Lyrics

There goes one baby's life
An innocent life has been lost.

It's such a small amount
The value of life to some is negligible.

She's un-American
The child is not from the United States.

I guess it doesn't count
Her loss seems unimportant to some.

Six thousand children's lives
Many innocent lives have been lost.

Were simply thrown away
Their lives were not valued.

Lost without medicine
They died from a lack of medical attention.

Inside of thirty days
Their lives were so short.

In the New York harbour
An event that occurred in a specific location.

Where the stock's withheld
An event that occurred during a specific situation.

It was the price we paid
The loss of life was a consequence of our actions.

For a safer world
We sacrificed innocent lives for perceived safety.

World is suffering
A statement emphasizing the widespread hardship in the world.

World citizen
Highlighting the importance of global citizenship and shared responsibility.

In Madhya Pradesh
An event that occurred in a specific location.

Where they're building dams
A specific development project that is displacing people.

They're displacing native people
Local inhabitants are being forced to leave their homes and land.

From their homes and lands
The displaced people are losing their homes and property.

So they hunger strike
A form of protest against their treatment and displacement.

Cos they believe they count
In spite of their status as marginalized people, they believe their lives and voices matter.

To lose a single life
The loss of any life is significant and should not be devalued.

In the name of progress
Economic and material advancement is often pursued without regard for human consequences.

And democracy
Democratic principles can be compromised in the interest of other agendas.

The concepts represented in name only
Principles like progress and democracy are often not truly applied in practice.

And the buildings fall
A specific event that involved the destruction of architecture.

In a cloud of dust
The destructive outcome of the event is emphasized.

And we ask ourselves
A statement about our collective reaction to the event.

How could they hate us?
We are seeking an explanation for why someone would perpetrate such an act.

Well, when we live in ignorance and luxury
A suggestion that our comfort and lack of awareness contribute to global tensions.

While our super powers practice
Countries with greater military and economic might tend to flex their strength and assert their dominance.

Puppet mastery
The manipulation and exploitation of people and resources for selfish or strategic gain.

We raise the men
Who is responsible for the development of leaders is being called into question.

Who run the fascist states
Dictatorships lead to extreme oppression and a disregard for human rights.

And we sell them arms
A statement about how the military-industrial complex profits off of violence and conflict.

So they maintain their place
Leaders hold onto power by any means necessary, often with the assistance of more powerful countries.

We turn our backs
We ignore heinous acts committed in our name and in the name of our safety.

On the things they done
The horrific actions of certain governments are not held accountable and are perpetuated by our lack of action.

Their human rights record
A way to assess the moral standing of a government and how they treat their citizens.

And the guns they run
The weaponry they possess gives them the power to maintain oppression and expand their influence.

Disenfranchised people
Those who were unfairly denied access to societal or political opportunities.

Need their voices heard
People need to feel that they have a platform to voice their grievances and advocate for their rights and wellbeing.

And if no one stops to listen
A lack of acknowledgement and action only exacerbates the problem.

Lose their faith in words
Hopelessness sets in when words are not honored or put into practice.

And violence rises
A direct result of the desperation and feeling of helplessness that disenfranchised people experience.

When all hope is lost
Hopelessness is a breeding ground for aggression and despair.

Who'll embrace the human spirit
Our shared humanity should be the driving force behind good actions and compassion.

And absorb the cost?
Taking action is not cheap or easy, but it is necessary for positive change to occur.

Not one life is taken
An ideal to strive for where no one suffers as a result of our collective actions.

In my name
Emphasizing the personal responsibility we each have for the well-being of others.

Who'll do away with flags?
The identities imposed by nationhood often cause divisions and conflict.

Who'll do us proud?
An implication that pride should not come from nationalism, but from doing good for others.

Remove the money from their pockets
The wealthy often hold the power and use it to maintain their economic advantage.

Scream dissent out loud?
A call for vocal opposition to injustice and inequality.

Cos god ain't on our side
A reminder that religion should not be a tool to support aggression or conquer others.

The shoe won't fit
A metaphor that the justifications used for oppression and violence are hollow.

And though they think the war is won
An acknowledgment that there is much work to be done, even after a military victory.

That's not the last of it
A recognition that the aftermath of conflict can be long-lasting and difficult to navigate.

My world is suffering
A personal statement of empathy and responsibility for the hardship in the world.

Your world is suffering
A reminder that the burden of suffering is shared by all of humanity.

Our world is suffering
An acknowledgement of the collective suffering in the world.

World citizen
A statement about the interconnectedness of humanity and the shared responsibility to take action.