[Verse 1] Backpacks by the desk Homework half-finished Little hands shaking Eyes that keep dimming You say, "They'll grow out of it" You say, "It's just a phase" But pain don't need a driver's license To leave a kid amazed At how alone it feels In a crowded room At how loud the silence gets Before it turns to doom A child can be angry A child can be scared A child can say it plain And still not be heard [Pre-Chorus] So look at the signs Don't look away When they start to fold in When they can't explain A bruised-up heart Still breaks for real If they cry for help Make somebody deal [Chorus] Listen to them Before the pain gets loud Listen to them Before the whole world finds out Stop the hate Stop the violence Let these children grow Listen to them Love them now [Verse 2] Parents at the window Waiting on the porch One missing phone call Can change the score Teachers in the hallway Trying to hold the line Protecting little futures One kid at a time Empty seats in class That should've been a laugh Yearbook photos smiling Now they just cut back We don't need more candles We don't need more tears We need somebody stepping in When the danger appears [Pre-Chorus] Notice the isolation Notice the rage Notice the kid who says "I don't feel safe" Don't bury the warning Don't call it small Get a real adult involved And answer the call [Chorus] Listen to them Before the pain gets loud Listen to them Before the whole world finds out Stop the hate Stop the violence Let these children grow Listen to them Love them now [Bridge] When your child says something's wrong Are you listening? When they go quiet in the room Are you listening? If they say they're lonely If they say they're lost If they say they're scared as hell Don't you wait too long (hear them) (hear them) A child's pain Is still pain A child's fear Is still real [Chorus] Listen to them Before the pain gets loud Listen to them Before the whole world finds out Stop the hate Stop the violence Let these children grow Listen to them Love them now [Final Chorus] Listen to them Before the pain gets loud Listen to them Before the whole world finds out Stop the hate Stop the violence Choose compassion now Speak up, step in, stand together Protect them somehow Listen to them Don't let another name Become a memory Let these children grow Let them dream again
