He could barely remember

When the fighting began

It was early September

When he lost his old man

Soon the time came to leave there

And to start a new life

How it seems so unfair

When they gave him a gun and a knife



[Chorus:]

So he fights with a gun in his hand

For what reason he can't understand

Yeah, he fights with a gun in his hand

For the freedom (of their land)



Can you hear them crying out

All the people in El Salvador

Can you hear a distant shout

From the people in El Salvador



As he stares at the ceiling

He thinks back quite aways

It was him that was dealing

Tell you those were the days

As he stares at a white dove

Tears roll down on his face

And then once filled with love

That only God himself can replace



[Chorus]



Can you hear the crying out

All the people in El Salvador

Can you hear a distant shout

From the people in El Salvador

(cross your heart and hope to die)

For the people in El Salvador

Still they kill not knowing why

All the people in El Salvador



Can you hear them cry?

Can you see them die?

Can you tell me why?

All the people in El Salvador