[Verse 1]
Sweet Melissa, I often pray for you
I hope your suffering was brief
I hope the angels that watch over all little children
Came for you and took you someplace beautiful and sweet
Ah
Suffer the little children

[Verse 2]
Dear Melissa, I often think of you
Every time I hold my baby in my arms
I say a prayer for your mama and daddy too
I know they miss you, miss you since you're gone
Ah

[Chorus]
Suffer the little children
At the hands of evil men
No baby dolls, no teddy bears
No lullabies for them
Every mother's nightmare
Will it ever end?
Suffer the little children
At the hands of evil men

[Verse 3]
You who done the deed better do some praying too
Better hope that God's forgiving like they say
'Cause somewhere, somebody keeps a list of the evils that men do
And your name's right up there
I heard 'em say
Ah
[Chorus]
Suffer the little children
At the hands of evil men
No baby dolls, no teddy bears
No lullabies for them
Every mother's nightmare
Will it ever end?
Suffer the little children
At the hands of evil men