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Released in 1991

Crises - Do We Live in a World..., aka. Save The Child

Written by Paul McCartney • Carl Davis

Last updated on July 11, 2019

Album This song officially appears on the Liverpool Oratorio Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1991

Master album

Related songs

“Do We Live in a World…” is the eleventh track of the seventh movement – entitled “Crises” – of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, released in 1991.

VII: CRISES. Mary Dee sings to the child inside of her, fretting for it’s future, Shanty arrives home slightly drunk, short-tempered and demanding dinner. They row over money and Shanty’s feelings of inadequacy. Shanty wounds her by doubting her love and Mary Dee storms out – telling him, as she goes, that she is pregnant. In her blind anger and her hurt, she runs in front of a car and is knocked down. In hospital, a nurse wills her to live as – in delirium – Mary Dee sees the ghosts again. She fights to cling on to the life of her baby as the ghosts try to steal it from her. At her bed, Shanty prays, promising to reform if only Mary Dee and the baby are saved.

“Liverpool Oratorio” liner notes

Lyrics

[MARY DEE]

Do we live in a world

With an uncertain future

Where a man is unsure of his fate?

Will we come to our senses

Be fair to each other?

Can we turn it around

Before it's too late?

Do I know that we have the answer?

Yes, I know now We are together

So we must bear in mind

That the pages are turning

And the sand will run out of the glass

In the heat of the battle

We will drive out the demons

And we'll carry the day

For we must save the child

[MARY DEE and NURSE]

(Ah)

[MARY DEE and SHANTY]

We have come to our senses

We are part of each other

And we'll carry the day

For we must save the child

[Chorus]

Do you know that you have the answer?

[MARY DEE and SHANTY]

Yes, we know now

[Chorus]

We know now

[MARY DEE and SHANTY]

We know now

We are together

Officially appears on

Live performances

“Crises - Do We Live in a World..., aka. Save The Child” has been played in 6 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Crises - Do We Live in a World..., aka. Save The Child” has been played

See all concerts where “Crises - Do We Live in a World..., aka. Save The Child” has been played

Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

Buy on Amazon

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