This song was written during an artist residency we conducted in November, 1998. The 7th graders wanted to write this song because a number of them were involved in working to stop a developer from building condominiums in a meadow which was special to them. The students later sang this song at a Township meeting where these issues were to be discussed, and received a standing ovation!
There’s a place in the forest where the trees grow thick and the crystal clear creek flows steady and quick Children are swinging on vines in the trees Gathering bluebells in the sweet-smelling breeze.
There are wildflowers scattered all around the creek and the herons are spearing fish with their beaks. These are the reasons we love this land. To save this place we must take a stand.
(Chorus:) Who decides what happens with the land? The developers shouldn’t cause they don’t understand You don’t miss your water ‘till your well runs dry You don’t miss the animals until they all die
If the trees in the forest were all cut down All you’d see would be houses for miles around The sweet-smelling flowers would all fade away The children would be crying ‘cause they’ve lost their place to play
(Chorus)
They would steal our water then sell it back The animals would leave ‘cause they’d lose their habitat There would be pollution in the water, earth and air We won’t let this happen because we truly care
(Chorus)
Hey Mr. Businessman, you see the children play Is money more important? Will you turn away?
