Don’t teach children
don’t teach them your morality
It’s so tired and sick
might hurt
Maybe it’s a serious imprudence
leave them at the mercy of a false consciousness.
Don’t praise the thinking
that’s increasingly rare
Don’t show for them
a known road
But if you really want
teach only the magic of life.
Ring around the rosey,
the world changes.
Don’t teach children
don’t disclose social illusions
Don’t fill their future
of old ideals
The only safe thing is to keep them away
from our culture.
Do not magnify the talent
that is ever more off
Don’t introduce them to beautiful singing, to theater, to dance
But if you really want
tell them the dream of an ancient hope.
Don’t teach children
but cultivate yourselves the heart and the mind
Stay always near them
Give trust to love
the rest is nothing.
Ring around the rosey,
the world changes.
Giorgio Gaber: Non insegnate ai bambini (Don’t teach children, 2003)
Lyrics in Italian; requires Flash Player