Every morning when I lift my head I pause and wonder why

during the long and restless night I did not chance to die.

Around the world so many more did not survive the night,

and every daybreak's news is full of someone else's plight.

They say that suffering is just a part of life,

but I don't believe we need to suffer so much ugliness and strife.

If it's true that each of us just wants to live a better life,

then it's time to end the violence—put down the gun, the sword, the knife.

Think of all the money that funds illegal drugs and war.

If we could put it all toward medicine, we'd end disease and more.

Think of all the soldiers risking lives to save our rights...

What would they be doing if the world resolved its fights?

Imagine all the families united once again!

Imagine helping out a stranger and knowing he's a friend.

What if the ones who lead us refused to take up arms

and instead of tanks and subs and guns we had more family farms?

What if children could play together and wander safely anywhere?

It isn't fair, this world we live in, but no one ever said life's fair...

because mud's thicker than clean water and what's more valuable than land?

And diamonds buy guns for little men who put them into children's hands.

And we'd be lost without the shifting lines that draw things on a map.

And illegal drugs are good for folks whose lives amount to crap. 

If you can subdue them, you can lead them, and everyone knows a reign of fear

is the leading style of bullies and not real men who care.

If you're a loser, join a gang today! They're always short on new recruits.

You can spray paint designs on taxpayer's signs, then be buried in a suit!

Rob a bank or an old woman if you're too lazy to work,

or too stupid to live honestly or just some kind of jerk.

Deceive your fellow man just so you can get ahead,

and remember that the odds are equaled when you're finally dead.

In my heart I aspire always to a world of perfect peace,

but my mind reminds me daily of life's harsh realities.

There's nothing wrong with struggle toward a goal I'll never see...

So long as there's peace in my heart, a better world begins with me.