This is the world I meant
Couldn't you listen?
Couldn't you stay content
Safe behind walls
As I
Could not?

Now you know what's out there in the world
No one can prepare you for the world
Even I
How could I, who loved you as you were
How could I have shielded you from her?
Or them

No matter what you say
Children won't listen
No matter what you know
Children refuse
To learn

Guide them along the way
Still they won't listen
Children can only grow
From something you love
To something you lose

Copyright: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer(s): Stephen Sondheim