This song appears on three albums, and was first released on the different directions album, and has also been released on the john denver collection - annie¡¯s song album. it has also been released on the john denver collection - calypso album, as a live version.
The world is fast becoming younger
the news is all they¡¯ve ever known
they¡¯ve seen the wars, the hurt, the hunger
how will they choose when they are grown
What do you tell forever¡¯s children
when it¡¯s their turn to hurt and heal
whatever spins a grim tornedo
can also turn a potters wheel
Take a little clay
put it on a wheel
get a little hint
how god must feel
Give a little turn
listen to a spin
make it into the shape
you want it in
Tell with your life the bloody story
teach to they¡¯re dreams not burning steel
it¡¯s not in bombs where lies the glory
but in what¡¯s shattered on the field
The potter¡¯s wheel takes love and caring
skill and patience fast and slow
the works it makes are easily broken
once they survive the potter¡¯s throw
Take a little clay
put it on a wheel
get a little hint
how god must feel
Give a little turn
listen to a spin
make it into the shape
you want it in
Some day some children will be digging
in some long forgotten ground
and they¡¯ll find our civilisation
or what¡¯s left of it to be found
They¡¯ll find the weapons of destruction
but buried deeper in the hole
they¡¯ll find a message and a promise
in the sand, the potter¡¯s bowl
Take a little clay
put it on a wheel
get a little hint
how god must feel
Give a little turn
listen to a spin
make it into the shape
you want it in
Earth and fire and wind conspire
with human hands, and love, and fire
Words and music by bill danoff