Een Vriend Zien Huilen (Versie Herman Van Veen)

Of course, there's fighting everywhere
and for many, the music's gone silent,
tenderness has passed away
and illusions are terminally ill.
Of course, everything can be bought
by whoever offers the most
and flowers get trampled on
but seeing a friend cry... I just can't.

Of course, we've lost the battle
and death waits for us at the end,
with our shoulders hunched forward
we can barely stand upright.
Of course, we've often been deceived
and birds lie low in the reeds
that have flown for the last time
but seeing a friend cry... I just can't.

Cities are smashed to pieces
by kids who are fifty years old
and the pain is quickly forgotten
for new sorrow or new danger.
And those stations full of the lost,
too far gone for any grief.
Not a single truth that stands tall,
but seeing a friend cry... I just can't.

Of course, mirrors are honest;
not brave enough to be a Jew,
not classy enough to be Black,
no light, just false appearances.
Caught in our own coldness
that we hide from love,
at the end of every desire,
but then to see a friend... who cries.