Learning to kill
Is a matter of momentum
It starts out small
Then it comes to you
Patrolling all night
In the Kasbah of Nablus
Hey, what’s ours
And what’s yours
At first it’s just a drill
A rifle pounding on the door
Bewildered children
Frightened family
Then the closure
It’s already dangerous
Death lies in ambush
Around every corner
You cock your weapon
Your arm trembles
Your finger hardens
Tight on the trigger
Your heart goes wild
Throbs with fright
It knows—the next time
Will be easier
They aren’t men or women
Just things, just shadow
Learning to kill
Is a matter of habit
Learning to fear
Is a matter of momentum
It starts out small
Then it comes to you
Tidings from above
Fall on the streets
There’s no chance of living on
The end is so near
Prophecies of terror
Like the raven’s call
Bolt your shutters
Barricade yourselves at home
We’re just a tiny handful
And they are so many
A tiny land
consumed by enemies
Their hearts hold only hate
The evil inclination and darkness
Learning to fear
Is a matter of habit
Learning cruelty
Is a matter of momentum
It starts out small
Then it comes to you
Every little boy is a man
Lusting after conquest
Hands behind your head
Spread your legs
It’s a dangerous time
A time of terror
Toughen up, soldier
There’s no virtue in mercy
Our cousin [note: Hebrew slang for “Arab”]
Is like an animal
Already used to seeing blood
He doesn’t suffer
He’s not human
Fatigues and a rash
Exhaustion and routine
From stupidity to evil the distance
Is short
It’s ours, only ours
The land of Israel
Learning cruelty
Is a matter of habit
Little boy, little boy, stop
Little boy, little boy, come back
Come here, my darling,
Come here, my baby
The skies are so gloomy
And outside all is dark
The toy soldiers are still here
Underneath your bed
Come home, little boy.
Come home.
Learning to love
Is a matter of tenderness
Careful steps
On a cloud of gentleness
We’ll go slow, we’ll melt
We’ll grow soft, we’ll lose our edge
Learning to love
Is a matter of habit
Being human
Is a matter of momentum
It sprouts like a baby
Then it comes to you
To be just for a minute
Just for now, just today
On the other side
Of the same barricade
But our heart’s already calloused
Our skin already thick
Deaf and blind
In the bubble of the present
We’ll gaze in wonder
At the fallen angel.
Being human
Is a matter of habit,
A matter of habit.