What Are You Fighting For Lyrics - Phil Ochs

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Oh you tell me that there's danger to the land you call your own 

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And you watch them build the war machine right beside your home 

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And you tell me that you're ready to go marchin' to the war 

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I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for? 

Before you pack your rifle and sail across the sea 

Just think upon the southern part of the land that you call free 

Oh, there's many kinds of slavery and we've found many more 

I know you're set for fightin', but what are you fighting for? 

And before you walk out on your job in answer to the call 

Just think about the millions who have no job at all 

And the men who wait for handouts with their eyes upon the floor 

Oh I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for? 

[this verse is not in the sheet music] 

Turn on your tv, turn it on so loud 

And watch the fool a smiling there and tell me that you're proud 

And listen to your radio, the noise it starts to pour 

Oh I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for? 

Read your morning papers, read every single line 

And tell me if you can believe that simple world you find 

Read every slanted word till your eyes are getting sore, 

I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for? 

And listen to your leaders, the ones who won the race 

As they stand right there before you and lie into your face 

If you ever try to buy them, you know what they stand for 

I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for? 

Put ragged clothes upon your back and sleep upon the ground, 

And tell police about your rights as they drag you down, 

And ask them as they lead you to some deserted door, 

Yes, I know you're set for fightin', but what are you fightin' for? 

But the hardest thing I'll ask you, if you will only try 

Is take your children by their hands and look into their eyes 

And there you'll see the answer you should have seen before 

If you'll win the wars at home, there'll be no fighting anymore 

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