Instruments
Ensembles
Opera
Composers
Performers

Lyrics: John Denver. Raven's Child.

Raven's child is chasing salvation
Black beak turned white from the crack and the snow
On the streets of despair the answer is simple
A spoonful of mercy can set free the soul

The drug king sits on his arrogant throne
Away and above and apart
Even children are twisted to serve him
Greed has corrupted what once was a heart

Raven's child keeps vigil for freedom
Trades for the arms that once made her strong
With nuclear warheads and lasers in heaven
Fear does the choosing between right and wrong

The arms king sits on his arrogant throne
Away and above and apart
Bankers assure him, he needn't care
Greed makes a stone of what once was a heart

Raven's child is washing the water
All of her wing feathers blackened with tar
Prince William shoreline, an unwanted highway
Of asphalt and anger an elegant scar

The oil king sits on his arrogant throne
Away and above and apart
Lawyers have warned him, he mustn't speak
Greed has made silent what once was a heart

Still there are walls that come tumbling down
For people who yearn to be free
Still there are hearts that long to be opened
And eyes that are longing to see

Raven's child is our constant companion
Sticks like a shadow to all that is done
Try as we may, we just can't escape him
The source of our sorrow and shame, we are one

The true king sits on a heavenly throne
Never away nor above nor apart
With wisdom and mercy and constant compassion
He lives in the love that lives in our hearts

Raven's child is washing the water
Raven's child keeps vigil for freedom
Raven's child's chasing salvation
Raven's child is our constant companion