Better Angels

Better Angels

Words and Music by Parker J. Palmer, Sharon Palmer and Carrie Newcomer 

What we want is nothing less

Than the dream behind this land,

A country where each person counts

And gets a helping hand.

And we who’ve been given much,

We can sing this simple song,

“We can keep this gift alive by passing it along”.

Chorus: And that “more perfect union”,

We can have it if we try.

When our hearts are broken open,

Then our better angels fly.

This is the people, by the people,

For the people this is true.

So let’s summon up the very best of us

And call it me and you.

We have lost and we have suffered,

We’ve cried an ocean of tears.

And we know the dread that comes,

When the shadows get too near.

And we know the comfort of a good friend

Saying, “It will be alright.

Take my hand and we will find our way

Through this night.”

Chorus: And that “more perfect union”,

We can have it if we try.

When our hearts are broken open,

Then our better angels fly.

This is the people, by the people,

For the people this is true.

So let’s summon up the very best of us

And call it me and you.

Bridge: We’re gonna make a few mistakes.

We can’t do it all today.

And our hearts are gonna break,

But we’ll do it anyway.

We are all in this together,

We can’t rise when many fall.

So let us work for the common good

As we write upon the wall,

“Take care of one another

Be truthful and be kind

And day by day by reaching out

We will surely find —

Chorus: That “more perfect union”,

We can have it if we try.

When our hearts are broken open,

Then our better angels fly.

This is the people, by the people,

For the people this is true.

So let’s summon up the very best of us

And call it me and you.

Copyright 2011