Carolyn Shulman - Sunflower Seeds Lyrics

I am a daughter of this seaside Ukraine town
Played on these streets when I was small
My family's roots are buried deep beneath this ground
And if I stay, I'll join them all

Our sons and brothers march right past me on the street
Waving flags of gold and blue
My prayers are no match for the dangers they will meet
But I'm not sure what else to do

Wish I could wake up from this nightmare that I see
Our homes in rubble on the sidewalks 'neath my feet
I've packed my bags and it breaks my heart to leave
I won't be a pawn in someone's Pyrrhic victory
So I gave the soldiers seeds

The air is gray and thick with ashes as I leave
The ghosts around me wish me well
I wrap my scarf around my face and try to breathe
And mark their memories where they fell

Wish I could wake up from this nightmare that I see
Our homes in rubble on the sidewalks 'neath my feet
I've packed my bags and it breaks my heart to leave
I won't be a pawn in someone's Pyrrhic victory
So I gave the soldiers seeds

My neighbor's playing her piano one last time
Through broken glass her her farewell flies
Each note a missile that she launches to the sky
Where walls may crumble, strength will rise

Wish we could wake up from this nightmare that we see
Our homes in rubble on the sidewalks 'neath our feet
We've packed our bags and it breaks our hearts to leave
We're not just pawns in someone's Pyrrhic victory
But I gave the soldiers seeds
Oh, I gave the soldiers seeds
Sunflowers rise above the weeds