There are children raised in sorrow
On a scorched and barren plain
There are children raised beneath a golden sun
There are children of the water
Children of the sand
And they cry out through the universe
Their voices raised as one

I want to live I want to grow
I want to see I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to be I want to live

Have you gazed out on the ocean
Seen the breaching of a whale?
Have you watched the dolphins frolic in the foam?
Have you heard the song the humpback hears five hundred miles away
Telling tales of ancient history of passages and home?

I want to live I want to grow
I want to see I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to be I want to live

For the worker and the warrior the lover and the liar
For the native and the wanderer in kind
For the maker and the user and the mother and her son
I am looking for my family and all of you are mine

We are standing all together
Face to face and arm in arm
We are standing on the threshold of s dream
No more hunger no more killing
No more wasting life away
It is simply an idea
And I know its time has come

I want to live I want to grow
I want to see I want to know
I want to share what I can give
I want to be I want to live


Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned

I Want to Live Lyrics as written by John Denver

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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I Want To Live song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    One of his most powerful vocal performances and statements about his view on humanity.

    gweepson October 23, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Man, John was taken away too young. What a great song, and lyrics.

    lobo81865on May 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Man, John was taken away too young. What a great song, and lyrics.

    lobo81865on May 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    There are children raised in sorrow On a scorched and barren plain There are children raised beneath a golden sun There are children of the water Children of the sand And they cry out through the universe Their voices raised as one This must be one of my favorite songs by John Denver. In this song, he shares such profound views on humanity as a whole, all while singing a beautifully written song. John tells that there is so much in life to see, so much to be thankful for, and so much to do. Have you gazed out on the ocean Seen the breaching of a whale? Have you watched the dolphins frolic in the foam? Have you heard the song the humpback hears five hundred miles away Telling tales of ancient history of passages and home? Personally, I wish I was fortunate enough to experience all of these things that John so eloquently describes. To those feeling sorrow about their lives, they should know that there is so much more, so many more things in nature that are breathtaking. Since Denver grew up in the country, he has seen many wonders great and small, which encourage him to keep on living. I, too, want to “live, I want to grow, I want to see, I want to know. I want to share what I can give, I want to be, I want to live.” Hopefully, one day soon, I'll be able to experience the full gift of life, too. For now, however, at least I have this beautiful song that shows what I have to look forward to in my future.

    ryan116271on December 05, 2022   Link

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