I ONCE KNEW

i once knew a soldier who wished he could cry
i once knew a journalist who wished she could sigh
i once knew a scientist who doubted his eye
i once knew a mother who wished she could die

i once knew a rabbi who wished he knew why
i once knew a painter who painted the sky
i once knew a teacher who wished to get high
i once knew a student who wanted to f l y
 
it's funny how few will take it as is
break everything down
and make it a quiz
if the mind doesn't struggle
they think something's wrong
won't open their hearts
won't join in a song
 
want to keep up
with the madness they see
won't step aside
in the hope to be free
if their virtue ain't visible
to you and to me
they wish they were dead
 
oh lord
oh lord'y