Grow Up America
music and lyrics by Junior Brown
copyright 2001 Curb Records, Nashville, TN
John and Mary
had two kids
named Mark and Terri
but they didn't treat them very well.
Made their childhood
... A living hell.
And as those hurtin' years went by
the kids just kept the pain inside.
Nobody knew.
What those kids had to go-o-o through.
[Refrain]
Grow up America
We've got kids to raise.
If the kids are the future
We ought to turn the page
from today to a newer, brighter way.
'Cause a kid' got to be a kid
and have a safe place to stay
And when grown-ups won't grow up
it's the kids who have to pay.
They need a shinin' light
and they got the right
to be kept out of harm's way.
Grow up America
We've got kids to raise.
[Instrumental]
Mark and Terri got some help
They're both grown up and doing well,
Better than you'd expect
After all the abu-u-u-se ... and neglect.
Now they have children of their own
But they won't pass that curse along
They threw the hurt away.
And raised their kids... a better way.
[Refrain #2]
Grow up America
We've got kids to raise.
If the kids are the future
We ought to turn the page
from today to a newer, brighter way.
'Cause a kid' got to be a kid
and have a safe place to stay
And when grown-ups won't grow up
it's the kids who have to pay.
They need a shinin' light
and they got the right
to be kept out of harm's way.
Grow up America
We've got kids to raise.
[Coda]
Grow up America
We've got kids ... to ... raise.
Lyrics Submitted by David Crampton