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