Tell Me Why
Genesis (1967) Lyrics
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Children dying at their feet, tell me why
People starving everywhere
There's too much food but none to spare, tell me why
Can you see that shaft of sunlight
Can you see it in my eyes
I can feel the fire that's burning
So deep within my heart
Before my eyes
For some it's too late
It seems there's no-one listening
People sleeping in the streets
No roof above, no food to eat, tell me why
See the questions in their eyes
Listen to their children's cries, tell me why
If there's a God
Is he watching
Can he give a ray of hope
So much pain and so much sorrow
Tell me what does he see
When he looks at you
When he looks at me
What would he say
It seems there's no-one listening
Who would think it still could happen
Even in this time and place
Politicians, they may save themselves
But they won't save their face
Just hope against hope
It's not too late
You say there's nothing you can do
Is there one rule for them and one for you
Tell me why
Listen can you see that shaft of sunlight
Can you see it in my eyes
I can feel the fire that's burning
Anger and hope so deep
So deep within my heart
Before my eyes
For some it's too late
It seems there's no-one listening
Hurry for me, hurry for me, they cry
Genesis's song "Tell Me Why" is a heartfelt plea to understand the injustice and suffering in the world. The song addresses issues such as poverty, starvation, and homelessness, all of which the songwriter feels have solutions that are within reach. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of mothers crying in the street while their children die at their feet, people sleeping in the streets with no food to eat, and the questions in the eyes of the suffering as they ask "why?". The songwriter cries out to God, asking if he is watching and if he can give a ray of hope.
The lyrics of this song convey a feeling of desperation and frustration, as if the songwriter has seen all of the pain and suffering in the world but feels powerless to do anything about it. The repetition of the phrase "tell me why" throughout the song highlights this sense of impotence as the songwriter seeks answers to the world's problems that seem to be within reach but remain out of reach.
Overall, "Tell Me Why" is a powerful song that highlights the complexities of the human experience. It calls for empathy and understanding while acknowledging the limitations of our ability to effect change.
Line by Line Meaning
Mothers crying in the street
Mothers are weeping outside in public
Children dying at their feet, tell me why
Offspring are perishing nearby, why is this so?
People starving everywhere
Individuals are famished all around
There's too much food but none to spare, tell me why
Food is abundant but not enough for everyone, why is this?
Can you see that shaft of sunlight
Are you able to perceive that beam of light?
Can you see it in my eyes
Can you notice it reflected in my eyes?
I can feel the fire that's burning
I sense the raging fervor
Anger and hope so deep
Intense emotions of indignation and optimism
So deep within my heart
Buried deeply in the depths of my heart
Before my eyes
Right in front of my sight
For some it's too late
For some, the situation is irreversible
It seems there's no-one listening
It appears that nobody is paying attention
People sleeping in the streets
Individuals are slumbering on the sidewalks
No roof above, no food to eat, tell me why
No shelter overhead, no sustenance to consume, why is this?
See the questions in their eyes
Witness the inquiries reflected in their eyes
Listen to their children's cries, tell me why
Pay attention to the wails of their offspring, why is this occurring?
If there's a God
Assuming there is a God
Is he watching
Is he overseeing everything?
Can he give a ray of hope
Is it possible for him to offer some hope?
So much pain and so much sorrow
An immense amount of anguish and grief
Tell me what does he see
Share what he observes
When he looks at you
When considering you
When he looks at me
When thinking about me
What would he say
What words would he utter?
It seems there's no-one listening
It looks like no one is paying attention
Who would think it still could happen
Who would anticipate that this could still occur?
Even in this time and place
Despite these times and circumstances
Politicians, they may save themselves
Politicians could rescue themselves
But they won't save their face
But they won't preserve their reputation
Just hope against hope
Merely optimism without a solid basis
It's not too late
There is still time
You say there's nothing you can do
You claim that there is nothing you can accomplish
Is there one rule for them and one for you
Is there a double standard in play?
Listen can you see that shaft of sunlight
Pay attention, can you appreciate that beam of light?
Hurry for me, hurry for me, they cry
They beseech, hasten for us
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Peermusic Publishing, IMAGEM MUSIC INC
Written by: ANTHONY GEORGE BANKS, PHILLIP DAVID CHARLES COLLINS, MICHAEL RUTHERFORD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@davek8427
It’s great to see Daryl and Chester in some Genesis videos like this one, even though they aren’t on the studio records. Love them.
@brettthebassist
Dave Kinchen Media never knew they had a video for this song 🤷🏻♂️
@Billsmafia50
This was the first album where they received credit I believe. They didn't become official members of the band until the Invisible Touch tour. Before that they were members of Phil's solo band.
@Punttipate62
@@Billsmafia50 they already played with genesis back in 1977(?)
@Billsmafia50
@@Punttipate62 yes but they didn't receive credit until the Invisible Touch tour.
@Punttipate62
@@Billsmafia50 wdym credit, they we're paid (obviously) and listed as touring members of the band always
@83nomad5
Every song in the album can stand on its own. It's like listening to a 'best of' or 'greatest hits' album, not one filler track. A true gem and their best album in my opinion.
@Donscottgaming
With COVID going on and everything, this song is still just as relevant, as it was 30 yrs ago.
@josefengelhardt2767
We Can't Dance was the last Genesis album to feature Phil Collins before he left the group in March 1996. Tell Me Why was the last Genesis single to feature Phil Collins
@geoffnorton9279
For all those millions of people around the world who have never been fans of this awesome band, I pity you, you have missed so much.