What If We Were Gone?

What If We Were Gone? What if we were gone? Just one day without us. La-ya-laaa… na-ya-naaa… Da-la-liii… si-ya-siii… Na-na-laaa… li-li-laaa… Da-da-naaa… la-ya-laaa… Oh-ya-laaa… na-si-liii… La-la-laaa… aaah… ________________________________________ From Turkey — Merhaba, how are you? From the Arab world — Salam alaikum From Afghanistan — Salam, how are you? From India — Namaste, how are you? From China — Nǐ hǎo, how are you? From South Korea — Annyeonghaseyo From Japan — Konnichiwa From Russia — Privet, how are you? From Poland — Cześć, how are you? From France — Bonjour, how are you? From Spain — Hola, how are you? From Italy — Ciao, how are you? From Iran — Salam, how are you? From England — Hello, how are you? From Sweden — Hej, how are you? From Thailand — Sawasdee, how are you? From Ukraine — Pryvit, how are you? From Greece — Yassas, how are you? ________________________________________ La-ya-laaa… na-ya-naaa… Da-la-liii… si-ya-siii… ________________________________________ Verse 1 No scent drifting through the city. No more “Mmmh, that tastes so good!” Who turns the doner on the spit? Who seasons the kebab with love? Who brings new flavors in the wok? Who kneads the pizza dough with care? Who cooks the pasta al dente? Who fills the tacos fresh and bright? Who grills the ćevapčići just right? Who rolls the sushi like an art? Who seasons falafel with feeling? Who stirs the tikka masala smooth? Day after day. If no one brings the world onto your plate – would you start to miss us? “Afiyet!” “Buen provecho!” “Buon appetito!” Mmmh… mmmh… Ahh-ha… ahh-ha… Mmmh… La-ya-laaa… na-ya-naaa… Da-la-liii… si-ya-siii… ________________________________________ Verse 2 Before the new day begins – while the city still sleeps – Who sweeps the station floors? Who cleans the office rooms? Who mops the stairways? Who sanitizes hospitals? Who clears the trash from the streets? Who cleans the airplane cabins? Who vacuums your car at the wash? Who cleans the kindergarten rooms? Who prepares the classrooms for the children? If no one keeps it clean – would you start to miss us? La-ya-laaa… na-ya-naaa… Da-la-liii… si-ya-siii… ________________________________________ Verse 3 If work suddenly stands still – Who keeps building the houses? Who stands on the factory line? Who drives the bus through the city? Who delivers your packages? Who provides care in the nursing homes? Who keeps the offices running? Who designs the bridges as engineers? Who performs surgery in the operating room? If no one shows up to work – would you start to miss us? La-ya-laaa… na-ya-naaa… Da-la-liii… si-ya-siii… ________________________________________ Verse 4 If diversity falls silent – Who sits with you at the table? Who laughs with you in the park? Who shares their stories with you? Who learns the language with you? Who brings you new words? Who sings songs from distant places? Who loves across all borders? Who becomes family? Who becomes part of you? If people from all over the world were no longer here – wouldn’t you miss us? ________________________________________ La-ya-laaa… na-ya-naaa… Da-la-liii… si-ya-siii… Na-na-laaa… li-li-laaa… Da-da-naaa… la-ya-laaa… Oh-ya-laaa… na-si-liii… La-la-laaa… aaah… ________________________________________ Verse 5 Just one day without us – just one day without you – You give us safety and protection. You open new paths for us. You give us peace. You give us education and opportunity. You let us learn and grow stronger. You help us build our future. Here, our dream can find a home. Such a beautiful life – we want to live it here with you. We would miss you too. ________________________________________ La-ya-laaa… na-ya-naaa… Da-la-liii… si-ya-siii… ________________________________________ From Turkey — Goodbye From the Arab world — Ma’a salama From Afghanistan — Khuda hafez From India — Alvida From China — Zàijiàn From South Korea — Annyeong From Japan — Sayonara From Russia — Do svidaniya From Poland — Do widzenia From France — Au revoir From Spain — Adiós From Italy — Arrivederci From Iran — Khoda hafez From England — Goodbye From Sweden — Hej då From Thailand — La gorn From Ukraine — Do pobachennya From Greece — Antío ________________________________________ La-ya-laaa… na-ya-naaa… Da-la-liii… si-ya-siii…