Teach the Children

I say the words of your mouth
And the meditation of your heart
Be acceptable
Always know that you're gonna be responsible, seen
And I say yuh find yourself With an instrumental influence
Use it with a positive sense
Or else yuh gonna pay the consequence
Rebel speaks again

I say be careful what you teach the little children
Make sure a nuh something to hurt them
Mind what yuh say to mi sista
She could be the next Prime Minister
(I say) fi watch what yuh say to mi daughta
'cause in the long run, she could be your doctor
How yu no fi mention dat to mi son, Don
A me no want me little boy fi turn a gunman

Still yuh never listen
Yuh ears must be missin
Every day yuh say yuh gun a shine an a glisten
Yuh writing fi the screamer and de lighter and de whistle
It look like yuh forget all about God's blessing
De wisdom from your mouth
Meditation of your heart
Should be free from negative of every sort
Want a good cow
Yuh better grow a good calf
Be careful what ya inject inna de youth dem heart (and just)

I say be careful what you teach the little children
Make sure a nuh something to hurt them
Mind what yuh say to mi sista
She could be the next Prime Minister
(I say) fi watch what yuh say to mi daughta
'cause in the long run, she could be your doctor
How yu no fi mention dat to mi son, Don
A me no want me little boy fi turn a gunman

Mista Tie an Mista Jacket
You Mr false prophet
Leading the children astray,
Mi a beg unnu fi stop it
Dust upon an rocket
For put it in yuh pocket
Give the people water fi carry inna basket
So if ya find yourself
With a instrumental influence
Everytime you use it, use your conscience
The seed where yuh sow
It is no accident
And nevah yuh nevah yuh nevah yuh shall escape the judgement

Watch what you teach the little children
Make sure it not something to hurt them
Mind what yuh say to mi sista
She could be the next Prime Minister
(I say) fi watch what yuh say to mi daughta
'cause in the long run, she could be your doctor
And yu no fi mention dat to mi son, ((Dan?))
And me no want me little boy fi turn a gunman

If yuh say yuh love di yout
And that is the truth
We will find out 'cause you are judged by the fruit
If ya teach dem fi shoot
And turn prostitute
Hang upon your shoulder, never dilute
Tomorrow man and woman
Is the youth of today
So understand that you should not lead dem astray
You responsibility
Is to to show dem the way
And if you don't then--
Somebody, somebody have fi pay (so)

Watch what you teach the little children
Make sure it not something to hurt them
Mind what yuh say to mi sista
She could be the next Prime Minister
How yuh fi say dem ((naw?)) things to mi daughta
When in the long run, she could be your doctor
No bother mention dat to mi son, ((Dan?))
And me no want me little boy fi turn a gunman

Mista Prime Minister, Mista Speaker
Mista Opposition Leader
Linguist, Journalist, Dj's and Singer
Producer, Smooth operator
And de radio announcer
Preacher, Teacher, Mother and Father
How much ah tell yuh
When me tell you mi friend
You want me repeat meself all over again
Yuh want the future nice
And yuh don't know how
Yuh bettah teach the yout right
And yuh better do it now (so)
(repeat chorus and fade)