Listen to the sounds of the world;
the clamour during the day,
the muted muffles of the night,
listen to the sounds of the world.

Listen to hungry children
suckle dry dams on bony breasts.
To the agony of the dying
as they gasp for the last, listen!

Let there be silence
Oh, just for a little while!
and listen to the silence of the guns
and hark peace whoosh over our heads
like the basket riding witch of the night.
Oh, just for a minute listen
let there be deadened silence.

Lock away poverty and war
in the vault of peace and silence
and throw away the keys
into the cesspool of history
Exorcise the spirits of injustice
and listen to the sounds of happiness.