On Children

"The text for this song is taken from the poem 'On Children' by Lebanese-American poet and artist Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931), which he published in 1923 in The Prophet. He wrote the text decades ago, but it seems ever more relevant today. This poem, and Barnwell’s setting, provide a wonderful opportunity to contemplate the future and how we can help shape it." - ChoralNet

Arrangement: Original version sung by Sweet Honey in the Rock https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYAkcL36aCE

Form: ABC ABC 
A - “Your children…” 
B - “You can give them your love but not your thoughts”
C - “You can strive to be like them”

Lyrics:
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 may house their bodies but not their souls
For their souls dwell in the 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