Merci D'être

South American
In the depths of the slums
And who carry at just 15
Their children in their arms
African women
Whose joy nothing spoils
Who plant a seed in the ground
That will never grow.

They have within them a gift
That commands respect
That commands forgiveness

Rebellious Indian women
Following in Indira's footsteps
Words take you much further
Than all the weapons of war

Thanks for being
What we'll never be
And yet we think we're perfect
But it's not men who lead the world
No, it's not men who lead the world
Thanks for being
What we'll never do
And for loving us as we are
But it's not men who lead the world
No, it's not men who lead the world

To Malaysian women
But school is not for you
Yet you remain the guardian
Of our sons who make the rules
And so many other women
To whom we give no choice
And my words remain in vain
If I want to raise my voice

They show acts of abandonment
That command respect
That command forgiveness

Thanks for being
What we'll never be
And yet we think we're perfect
But it's not men who lead the world
No, it's not men who lead the world
Thanks for being
What we'll never do
And for loving us as we are
But it's not men who lead the world
No, it's not men who lead the world

What we'll never do
And for loving us as we are
What we'll never be
And yet we think we're perfect

Thanks for being
What we'll never be
And yet we think we're perfect
But it's not men who lead the world
No, it's not men who lead the world
Thanks for being
What we'll never do
And for loving us as we are
But it's not men who lead the world
No, it's not men who lead the world

Thanks for being