So Many Lives

so many lives just born to die

and who can give the reason why

a little child

should pay the price

slain down by war through treachery and vice

so many times i've wondered why

so many people have to die

for those few men who fight a course

that isn't mine and even isn't yours

but when the killing fields are over

and the damage is all done

when we've learned our lessons well

by the rattle of the guns

when we come to live in harmony

then the battle will be won

so many lives so many lives

and when the killing fields are over

and the battles are all done

when we've learned to love our enemy

like the prodigal son

when we've come to shake the hand

of the man who's done us wrong

so many lives so many lives

how many years

and how many tears must we shed

before we learn to love again

so many lives so many lives