Emmylou Harris
The Selfishness in Man
I saw a little beam of sunlight
Steal across a purple sky
And bent down to kiss a rose bud
Oh, it made me wanna cry
To think that I have been permitted
To see a part of nature's plan
Oh, there's nothing that stands out more
Than the selfishness in man
Little children painting pictures
Of the blooms and apple trees
Oh, why can't the grown up people
Have the faith of one of these?
And to think those tiny fingers
Might become a killer's hand
Oh, there's nothing that stands out more
Than the selfishness in man
Why can't we see the folly
And the uselessness of hate?
Love could lead to understanding
Maybe it's not too late
Then perhaps through his great wisdom
We might learn to understand
And there'd be no shame or sorrow
And no selfishness in man