Lyrics What Are You Fighting For - Phil Ochs

What Are You Fighting For

Oh you tell me that there’s danger to this land you call your own
And you watch them build the war machines right beside your home
And you tell me that you’re ready to go marching to the war
Oh I know you’re set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
Before you pack your rifle, go sail across the sea
Just think upon the southern part of land that you call free
Oh, there’s many kinds of slavery and we’ve found many more
Yes I know you’re set for fighting, 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?
And read your morning papers, read every single line
And tell me if you can believe that simple world you find
Read every slanted word 'til your eyes are getting sore
Yes I know you’re set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
Listen to your leaders, the ones that 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 fighting, but what are you fighting 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