How do you say to your child in the night?
Nothing's all black, but then nothing's all white
How do you say it will all be all right
When you know that it might not be true?
What do you do?

Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see and learn

Children may not obey
But children will listen
Children will look to you
For which way to turn

To learn what to be
Careful before you say
"Listen to me"
Children will listen

Careful the wish you make
Wishes are children
Careful the path they take
Wishes come true, not free
Careful the spell you cast
Not just on children
Sometimes the spell may last
Past what you can see

And turn against you
So careful the tale you tell
That is the spell
Children will listen

How do you say to a child who's in flight
"Don't slip away and I won't hold so tight"?
What can you say that no matter how slight
Won't be misunderstood?

What do you leave to your child when you're dead?
Only whatever you put in it's head
Things that you're mother and father had said
Which were left to them too

Careful what you say
Children will listen
Careful you do it too
Children will see and learn

Guide them but step away
Children will glisten
Tamper with what is true
And children will turn
If just to be free
So careful before you say "Listen to me"
'Cause children will listen
Children will listen
Children will listen