I want my children to be healthy and strong Want'em to grow up Knowing what's rigth from what's wrong Want my children to remember this song Want their love to last steady and long But when they'll ask the truth of me I'll sing'em a blues for the nineteen-eighties I'll show'em the lands and I'll show'em the seas But I'll giv'em optimism in minor key I want my children to have freedom to roam Want'em to know that this earth is their home I want my children to be happy and free More than I was ever allowed to be But if they ask the truth of me I'll sing'em a blues for the nineteen-eighties I'll show'em the lands and l'il show'em the sea I'll have to give'em optimism in minor key Yeah I'll show'em the birds, The fish and the trees And I'll have to sing'em Optimism in minor key