Thanks to Michael Callen and his wonderful book, _Surviving

AIDS_, for inspiring this song. Also, a tip of the hat to our

friend Alix Dobkin for some general words of wisdom: "There's no

payoff in being a pessimist.")



Why are the papers full of gloom?

Predicting a future of darkness and doom

There's no denying many have died

Lives have been lost, tears have been cried

And there's so much pain, and so little relief

That it's hard to feel hope in our moment of grief

But if that's what it takes to help someone live

Then we have a lot we can give



Because there's no such thing as false hope

There's no dream that isn't real

No such thing as false hope

No one can say what the future will reveal

If we believe in our hearts that it's true

Surely, our hope will pull us through



Don't listen in to the TV scare

It only weakens you with despair

They paint a portrait full of doubt

By leaving the long-term survivors out

And as a result, how many are gone

Because their hope was denied for too long?

But if that's what it takes to help someone live

Then we have a lot we can give



Hope is on the horizon

Help is on the way

Love will pull us through another day

Hope is the key that unlocks the mind

Lightens the burden or leaves it behind

And if that's what it takes to help someone live

Then we have a lot we can give