American rock group Three Dog Night performed their song “Prayer of the Children” in honor of the 17 victims of the shooting in Parkland Fla. at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater on Feb. 22, in Peekskill NY.

Despite the policy debate on gun ownership surrounding the Parkland shooting, Lead singer Danny Hutton said that there was no political agenda behind the song, only to honor those who died and the hope for a better world.

Many members of the around 800-member audience stood in silence as the song played out of respect, however, some got emotional and cried during the end of the performance. They also appreciated Three Dog Night’s ability to harmonize and produce a gospel-like song.

“I liked that new song about the children, it was really good, the harmonies were unbelievable,” Three Dog Night fan Chris Marconi said during the concert.

The song was originally released in 2009 as a single, and it was popularized in 2012 after the Massacre in Sandy Hook elementary school victims

The lyrics to the song are:

Can you hear the prayer of the children?
On bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room
Empty eyes with no more tears to cry
Turning heavenward toward the light

Will someone help me
To see the morning light of one more day
But if I should die before I wake,
I pray my soul to take

Can you feel the hearts of the children?
Aching for home, for something of their very own
Reaching hands, with nothing to hold on to,
But hope for a better day a better day

Will someone help me
To feel the love again in my own land
But if unknown roads lead away from home,
Give me loving arms, away from harm

Can you hear the voice of the children?
Softly pleading for silence in a shattered world?
Angry guns send a message full of hate,
Blood of the innocent on their hands

Will someone help me
To feel the sun again upon my face,
For when darkness clears and someone’s hear
Bringing peace again

Can you hear the prayer of the children?