Phil Ochs - What Are You Fighting For

C F Em
oh you tell me that there’s danger to the land you call your own

F Em Am
and you watch them build the war machine right beside your home

C F Em
and you tell me that you’re ready to go marchin’ to the war

Dm G7 C
i know you’re set for fighting , but what are you fighting for?

C F Em
before you pack your rifle and sail across the sea

F Em Am
just think upon the southern part of the land that you call free

C F Em
oh , there’s many kinds of slavery and we’ve found many more

Dm G7 C
i know you’re set for fightin’ , but what are you fighting for?

C F Em
and before you walk out on your job in answer to the call

F Em Am
just think about the millions who have no job at all

C F Em
and the men who wait for handouts with their eyes upon the floor

Dm G7 C
oh i know you’re set for fighting , but what are you fighting for?

C F Em
turn on your tv , turn it on so loud

F Em Am
and watch the fool a smiling there and tell me that you’re proud

C F Em
and listen to your radio , the noise it starts to pour

Dm G7 C
oh i know you’re set for fighting , but what are you fighting for?

C F Em
read your morning papers , read every single line

F Em Am
and tell me if you can believe that simple world you find

C F Em
read every slanted word till your eyes are getting sore ,

Dm G7 C
i know you’re set for fighting , but what are you fighting for?

C F Em
and listen to your leaders , the ones who won the race

F Em Am
as they stand right there before you and lie into your face

C F Em
if you ever try to buy them , you know what they stand for

Dm G7 C
i know you’re set for fighting , but what are you fighting for?

C F Em
put ragged clothes upon your back and sleep upon the ground ,

F Em Am
and tell police about your rights as they drag you down ,

C F Em
and ask them as they lead you to some deserted door ,

Dm G7 C
yes , i know you’re set for fightin’ , but what are you fightin’ for?

C F Em
but the hardest thing i’ll ask you , if you will only try

F Em Am
is take your children by their hands and look into their eyes

C F Em
and there you’ll see the answer you should have seen before

Dm G7 C
if you’ll win the wars at home , there’ll be no fighting anymore