This song is not optimistic, as it attempts to paint a bleak picture of an environment wasted beyond redemption by practices which we already know are harmful to the earth. We do not even have ignorance as an excuse. However, the setting is the (near) future, and there may yet be time to change our ways and avert disaster.
The oceans are brown, the beaches are black
The damage is done, there's no turning back
The rivers are choked, full of foul, frothing foam
The heartlands are burning, there's no place like home
The landscape is moonrock, with sulphurous ooze
The colour of morning, a giant purple bruise
The storm in the desert doesn't bring any rain
There used to be farms here, there used to be lots of grain
What're we gonna tell the children?
How're we gonna find the words to explain?
What're we gonna tell the children?
How do you describe the sunshine after rain?
We built up a greenhouse, constructed the frame
And then we put the glass in, and sealed every pane
The forests are gone now, it's hard just to breathe
We've burned up the heavens, what heavens are these?
All it takes is a hundred years
We pick at the fabric, a hole soon appears
Creating a wasteland that time cannot mend
No justification, no way to defend
What're we gonna tell the children?
Can we make it better just with a kiss?
What're we gonna tell the children
When they see that all we've left for them
Is this?
