When The Children Cry

White Lion

Verse 1

Little child

dry your crying eyes (Hyperbole)

How can I explain the fear you feel inside

'Cause you were born into this evil world

Where man is killing man and no one knows just why

Bridge 1

What have we become

just look what we have done

All that we destroyed you must build again

Chorus 1

When the children cry

let them know we tried

'Cause when the children sing

then the new world begins

Verse 2

Little child

you must show the way

To a better day for all the young

(Hyperbole) 'Cause you were born for all the world to see

That we all can live with love and peace

Bridge 2

No more presidents and all the wars will end

One united world under God

Back to CHORUS 1
 What have we become

just look what we have done

All that we destroyed you must build again (Metaphor)

No more presidents and all the wars will end (Assonance)

(Metonymy) One united world under God

Chorus 2

When the children cry

let them know we tried

When the children fight (Assonance)

let them know it ain't right

When the children pray

let them know the way

'Cause when the children sing

then the new world begins

This song tells us about life and generations. Based on my opinion, the song is
ambiguous. It has psychological thing and a relationship between Millennial or Gen Z with
Gen X. Other than that, When The Children Cry also brings pschylogical things named
“Inner Child”. Overy kids, teenagers, even elder peoples has it. It is like a “Childish side” of
someone for me.

The lyrics have lots of description about what happen in this world like man kills man
but nobody knows the reason why, childrens who face a failure, and a big responsibility to
run the world and make a better day for all the young.

I will explain the meaning through this story. There is a teenager or young-adult got a
failure and inable to keep their chin up, then an old man comes to their way to dry those tears
also gives advices to live this ‘evil word’. Indirectly, he also says sorry for what have his
generations done and the next generation must fix or build again.

On the other side, this song can remind parents to appreciate their struggles as a son
or daughter of them. It has written on Chorus 2. In this song, singing and praying could be the
cure of their broken hearts. When viewed from the lyrics and instruments used, you cannot
find this song could give spirit. But for me, it has a deep meaning and understanding of life.