Only Thunder

“I was telling them this is thunder, don’t worry, don’t be afraid.”
—Ayman Atalla, 38, talking of his three children in the December 2008 Israeli massacre of Gaza, "Operation Castlead" 

it’s only thunder
don’t you worry
don’t be afraid
lay your head down
close your eyes
because its only thunder breaking

but father, father
the bombs are dropping
and i am afraid
our house is shaking
our windows breaking
and i am afraid

no child no
it’s only thunder
so don’t you worry
don’t be afraid
just lay your head down
and close your eyes now
for it's only thunder shaking

but father, father
the sky is smoking
and i am afraid
the streets are cracking
and boys next door are bleeding
and i am afraid

oh dear daughter
it’s only thunder
please don’t worry
don’t be afraid
go lay your head down
and let your eyes close
it’s only thunder cracking

but father, father
why won’t you answer?
can’t you hear me?
tell me, ‘don’t be afraid’
tell me, ‘don’t be afraid’
because i’m so afraid
i am so afraid