"Women and the Children" is a poignant country song by Johnny Cash that touches on the struggles of families left behind when the men are sent to war. The lyrics delve into themes of sacrifice, societal expectations, and the contradictions in the messages we receive about love and duty.
[Verse 1]
Women and the children stay at home
Government tells the men to go
Fight wars
And die
Get their money's worth
Don't cry
[Chorus]
Love your neighbor, that's what they say
But forget to love when their neighbor don't pray
Oh lord
Just why
Don't you think
Just lie
[Verse 2]
Men in uniforms on foreign soil
Blood and tears, their only spoil
Come home
Broken
But no one to mend
Hearts shattered
In the end
[Chorus]
Love your neighbor, that's what they say
But forget to love when their neighbor don't pray
Oh lord
Just why
Don't you think
Just lie
[Bridge]
Families torn apart by duty's call
Silent sacrifices, no medals at all
They serve
In shadows
Hold the line each day
Fear and hope
Never far away
[Chorus]
Love your neighbor, that's what they say
But forget to love when their neighbor don't pray
Oh lord
Just why
Don't you think
Just lie
[Outro]
Women and the children, bearing the weight
Men sent to battle, driven by fate
We cry
And ask why
But answers don't come
In this world, so lonesome
Just lie
Chords not available
Beat not available
Women and the children stay at home,
Government tells the men to go
Fight wars
And die
Get their Money's worth
Don't cry.
Love your neighbor,That's what they say
But forget to love when their neighbor don't pray
Oh lord
Just why
Don't you think
Just lie
Johnny Cash