mohammad is a little boy 

growing up in a violent world 

heard the guns when he was five 

and above the smoke he saw the flag of israel unfurled 

so what is he to think 

and what is he to do? 

Who set the drumbeat that he's marching to? 

Now kevin he was just a lad 

his brother left never to return 

they said he joined the i.r.a. 

and then they shot him down -- now kevin burns 

so what is he to think? 

And what is he tot do? 

Who set the drumbeat that kevin's marching to? 

Cause gunfire means funeral pyres 

and then little boys pick up guns 

battles rage for blood and country 

and they always will -- yeah they always will 

until they're home 

now I am just an american boy 

only know what I see or read 

I see boys dying for a home 

dying for a chance to breathe like you and me 

so what are we to think? 

And what are we to do? 

Who set the drumbeat that they're marching to? 

Grab a gun, toy soldiers no home to call your own