I met a child in Ireland as I sat in church and prayed
"What would you wish for if you could?"
He looked at me with starry eyes
Where innocense still played
"Just grow up strong and to be good."

I asked a child in Africa underneath the blazing sun
"What would you wish for if you could?"
A slender arm reached out to me but an answer did not come
I said I thought I understood.

Chorus:

No little girl wished to dominate the world
Just let me be safe and free
No little boy asked for death instead of joy
Just be a man if I can
Not one reply mentioned weapons in the sky!
No little voice made that choice.

I met a child in East L.A. in the middle of the night
"What would you wish for if you could?"
He looked around with weary eyes
Though I thought I saw a light
"I want peace in my neighborhood."

I asked a child in your hometown as I walked along the street
"What would you wish for if you could?"
Right away she knew what would
Maker her young life complete
"Just lots of love, that would be good."