Words and music © 2025 by Tom Maynard
Tom Maynard: Vocal, guitars, midi bass and percussion
Written during the Iraq War in 2003 in response to the false narratives that the US government were using to justify the aggression in Afghanistan and Iraq. At the time in the Northeast we were also experiencing some of the wettest weather we had had up to that point, and the western part of the country was burning in historic wildfires. Tensions in the Middle East were also increasing. Little did I know that the false narratives, global climate disruption, and Israeli/Palestinian situation would continue to intensify, making this song even more relevant now.
Lyrics
Where the hell are we going
And where have we been?
Seems we’re running in circles
Look, we’ve come ‘round again
It seems with lessons learned
We’d make a different choice
Instead it seems we’ve lost our voice
Collective amnesia, and laryngitis, too
Letting someone else define what’s true
Chorus
Watch the rain come tumblin’ down
to nurture and give birth
But too much rain can flood and drown
All the children of the earth
Somewhere there’s a wildfire burning
for want of all this rain
We have to find a balance once again
Help us find a balance once again
They’ve got us fearing our shadows
That’s how they keep in control
Narrow down our vision
And tightening their hold
They keep on reminding us of all we have to lose
With every story on the evening news
They shine their blinding light to dazzle in our eyes
While slight of hand obscures the lies
Chorus
Yes, there’s a fire raging
It’s burning out of control
Injustice is tinder
and fury fans the coals
If only a soothing rain could take away the heat
But hatred pounds a violent beat
And vengeance blinds the eye to any other way
A chance is lost that grief betrays
All chances fading into gray
And love is lost amidst the fray
Chorus
Watch the rain come tumblin’ down
to nurture and give birth
But too much rain can flood and drown
All the children of the earth
Somewhere there’s a wildfire burning
for want of all this rain
We have to find a balance
Can we find a balance?
Help us find a balance once again
Tom Maynard 