On Children
Sweet Honey In The Rock Lyrics
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They are the sons and daughters of
Life's longing for itself.
They come through you
but they are not from you
And though they are with you
They belong not to you.
You may give them your love
but not your thoughts,
They have their own thoughts.
They have their own thoughts.
You can house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in a place of tomorrow,
Which you cannot visit,
not even in your dreams.
You can strive to be like them,
but you cannot make them just like you.
Strive to be like them
but you cannot make them just like you
Your children are not your children;
They are the sons and daughters of
Life's longing for itself.
They come through you
but they are not from you
And though they are with you
They belong not to you.
You may give them your love
but not your thoughts,
They have their own thoughts.
They have their own thoughts.
You can house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in a place of tomorrow,
Which you cannot visit,
not even in your dreams.
You can strive to be like them,
but you cannot make them just like you.
Strive to be like them
but you cannot make them just like you
The lyrics to Sweet Honey In the Rock's song On Children are a poetic reminder to parents that their children are not their possessions. The song begins by stating that children are not the property of their parents but rather they belong to the world as they are the extension of life itself, coming into the world through their parents but not belonging to them. The lyrics continue to emphasize that parents must allow their children to develop their own thoughts and personalities, respecting their individuality and not trying to mold them to be just like themselves.
The song also speaks to the eternal reality of the soul. The body of a child can be cared for and sheltered by their parents, but the child's soul resides in the future, in a place that parents cannot visit, a place of endless potential and possibility. The song urges parents to embrace this reality and allow their children to grow into the individuals they were meant to be.
Overall, the song is a message of humility, respect, and surrender for parents. It acknowledges the profound mystery and miracle of life while encouraging parents to honor that mystery by allowing their children the freedom to be their own unique selves.
Line by Line Meaning
Your children are not your children;
The children that you have are not your possession.
They are the sons and daughters of
Life's longing for itself.
The children come from a desire of life itself, rather than from their parents.
They come through you
but they are not from you
The children are born to their parents, but they do not belong to their parents.
And though they are with you
They belong not to you.
Even though the children are physically present with their parents, they do not belong to their parents.
You may give them your love
but not your thoughts,
Parents can give their children love, but they cannot control their children's thoughts or beliefs
They have their own thoughts.
They have their own thoughts.
Children have their own independent thought processes.
You can house their bodies but not their souls,
Parents can provide shelter for their children's bodies, but they cannot control their children's spiritual selves.
For their souls dwell in a place of tomorrow,
Which you cannot visit,
not even in your dreams.
Children's souls belong to the future, and parents cannot see their spiritual futures or destinies.
You can strive to be like them,
but you cannot make them just like you.
Parents can strive to emulate their children but cannot make their children copies of themselves.
Strive to be like them
but you cannot make them just like you
Parents should attempt to learn from their children but cannot force their children to be carbon copies of themselves.
Your children are not your children;
They are the sons and daughters of
Life's longing for itself.
The repetition of the first stanza emphasizes the message that children should not be treated as possessions because they come from a desire of life itself.
They come through you
but they are not from you
And though they are with you
They belong not to you.
The repetition of the third stanza reinforces the idea that even though children are physically with their parents, they do not belong to their parents.
Contributed by Cameron E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Barbara Barnett
on Young and Positive
what are the lyrics to im young and im positive
Amado Mc. G
on The little Shekere
The Little Shekere Lyrics: I Use to be a squash in Aminatta’s field Until the day she decided to collect her yield I was so afraid that she would come and choose me but since I couldn’t run away, I had to wait and see She went back and forth and up and down every row then without choosing me she decided to go I was so relieved I began to shout! Which made her turn around and see me so she picked me out! When she wrapped me in her sack and place me on her head and started walking toward her village, I was filled with dread Many of my friends and family had left the land but never knowing where they went I did not understand That a whole new life was just ahead of me as a calabash, moraccas, agbe, axatse. I never knew a squash could be so many things full of colors and designs and beaded down with strings When we reached the house they took me out of the sack I wanted to go home! (somebody take me back!) But as I look around I just could not believe my eyes I saw my friends and family, what a nice surprise! They were happy to see me and they were looking good and when they started to talk, that’s when I understood Even though each one was different in color and shape when they all played together the music was great. My life was just beginning in the musical world I’d be a shekere for these young boys and girls A Shekere! (A Shekere!) A Shekere! (A Shekere!) So listen everybody to my family and friends we’re gonna sing this song for you from begin to end A Shekere! (A Shekere!) A Shekere! (A Shekere!) *Shekeres Playing* Shekere!
Ahfor Taitu
on I Be Your Water
I BE YOUR WATER-LYRICS
i————
i be your shelter
i be your rain
i be your everything
i be your friend
i be your water
when your thirsty and dry…
i woke up mourning in a crowded sick place
surrounded by evil, protected by grace
there were these hands, hundreds reaching for me
they knew exactly who and what i should be
each way i turned, had me stronger than the last
which would i choose & how could i pass
then i heard whispers (be still -be still -be still)
from deep inside me (be still -be still -be still)
then i heard whispers (be still -be still -be still)
from deep inside me (be still -be still -be still)
as i gave power to the sound of my own voice
a way broke before me, i followed my choice
i walked along the way others lives had been
til’ i came to what seemed like an end
again these hands, reaching beckoning for me
they knew exactly who and what i should be
again the whispers (be still -be still -be still)
keeping me steady (be still -be still -be still)
again the whispers (be still -be still -be still)
keeping me steady (be still -be still -be still)
way before me was mine to make
there was no road, no path to take
as i had my life, through this muddy walk way
others toiled beside me for a justice new day
still i have felt lonely most of the time
walking this sweet freedom struggle of mine
still i have felt lonely most of the time
walking this sweet freedom struggle of mine
saved by the whispers (be still -be still -be still)
keeping me steady (be still -be still -be still)
saved by the whispers (be still -be still -be still)
keeping me steady (be still -be still -be still)
yesterday i stumbled around the bend
i saw you standing, you reached me your hand
i seen you before, oh many of times
why your life had plowed the road, right next to mine
now you make the sun rise in my sky
you rock my cradle hunny, you make me fly
you keep me company
now you make the sun rise in my sky
you rock my cradle hunny, you make me fly
you keep me company
i————
I be your shelter
i be your rain
i be your everything
i be your friend
i be your water
when your thirsty and dry…
Brenda Nelson
on Long Journey Home
Does anyone have lyrics for this song...long journey home ....by sweet honey in the rock?