Prayer of the Children

Details

Description

Music and Text by Kurt Bestor
Arranged by Andrea S. Klouse
As performed at the October 30, 2022 concert "Peace Day 2022"

Notes from the composer:
“I wrote ‘Prayer of the Children’ out of frustration over the horrendous civil war and ethnic cleansing taking place in the former country of Yugoslavia. Having lived in this now war-torn country back in the late 1970s, I grew to love the people with whom I lived, whether Serbian, Croatian, or Bosnian. When the President of Yugoslavia died civil war broke out, pitting my friends against each other. Serbian brother wouldn't talk to Croatian sister-in-law. Bosnian mother disowned Serbian son-in-law, and so it went. I started composing with these feelings in mind - sensations that the children struggling to live in this difficult time might be feeling. Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian children all felt the same feelings of confusion and sadness and it was for them that I was writing this song.

After being arranged for choir by Andrea Klause, the song exploded across the country to where now over 500 choirs have sung it in high schools, community choirs, and professional chorales across the country and abroad. ‘Prayer of the Children’ has been sung for special occasions such as the annual 9/11 commemoration, a yearly memorial service for the Columbine High School tragedy, and a concert in memory of the Oklahoma City bombing. These philanthropic uses of my song are the most meaningful to me…the fact that the song is used to console others in similar circumstances is how the song should be used.”

Can you hear the prayer of the children ,
On bended knee,
In the shadow of an unknown room?
Empty eyes with no more tears to cry,
Turning heavenward toward the light.

Cryin’ who will help me
To see the mornin’ light of one more day?
But if I should die before I wake,
I pray my soul to take.

Can you feel the hearts of the children,
aching for home,
For something of their very own?
Reaching hands with nothing to hold on to,
But hope for a better day.
Cryin’ who will help me
To feel the love again in my own land?
But if unknown roads lead away from home,
Give me loving arms,
Away from harm.

Can you hear the voice of the children,
Softly pleading,
For silence in their shattered world?
Angry guns preach a gospel full of hate,
Blood of the innocent on their hands.

Cryin’ who will help me
To feel the sun again upon my face?
For when darkness clears, I know you’re near,
Bringing peace again.

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