(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