What Are You Fighting For - Phil Ochs

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