Give us children roots and wings
Never fear the change it brings
There is no reason to be sad
Be thankful for the time you've had
When I was a younger guy
One autumn night I told a lie
My dad just shook his head and sighed
Said ‘one day you'll know what it's like'
To give your children roots and wings, oh, oh
And not to fear the change it brings, oh, oh
To tell the truth and be a man
To always do the best you can
Mother, she done set me free
From all the locks that once held me
She whispered in my infant ears
That I was wise beyond my years
So even on my darkest nights
I've felt the ground and I've seen the heights
And one day may you do the same
Oh, child of mine that bears my name
I give to you my roots and wings, oh, oh
With these you can do anything, oh, oh
And you will never be alone
Carry or be carried home
Oh, oh
You'll be carried home (x2)
You will always be here with me
The way you feel your roots and wings, oh
And never fear the change it brings, oh
So give those children roots and wings, oh, oh
And never fear the change it brings, oh, oh
There is no reason to be sad
Be thankful for the time you had
And give those children roots and wings, oh
Oh, and I give you mine
Roots and wings (x8)