“WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN OF TODAY?”

BACK TO INTRODUCTION OF RIO

RIO

SCENE FIVE

“WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN OF TODAY?”

Old man                      On this soil I took my first few steps

(intro)                                    On this soil I’ll soon be laid to rest.

But things have changed, Oh God they’ve changed.

My memory still runs clear.

So listen to an old man now

There’s something you should hear.

Violins/Guitar

Verse   1                      All I know is what I see

Desperation, poverty.

What about the children of today?

Unwed mothers in the street,

hustling for some food to eat.

What about the children of today?

Not so long ago it seemed as though

We looked the other way.

And now I’m afraid our bed’s been made.

The problem’s here to stay.

Oh  what about the Children of Today?

Verse  2                       Everything they learn from us,

how to share and how to trust.

What about the children of today?

Their world around them filled with greed.

Just no time to fill their need.

What about the children of today?

Maybe from where you came it’s not the same,

your children aren’t betrayed.

Woman echoes:           Children aren’t betrayed

Old Man:                     But here our upper class ignored the masses.

This– our Passion Play.

(modulate)                   So would it help to pray?

Verse 3                        Can you see our destiny?

Remedy or tragedy?

What about the children of today?

What can save us from ourselves?

Who will share in all their wealth?

What about the children of today?

Maybe from where you came it’s not the same,

your children aren’t betrayed.

Woman echoes:           Children aren’t betrayed

Old man:                     But my story told will soon unfold,

You’ll learn much in your stay.

So what about the children of today?

Oh,  what about the children of today?

Today.

(fade out)