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