C F Em
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Oh you tell me that there's danger to the land you call your own
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F Em Am
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And you watch them build the war machine right beside your home
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C F Em
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And you tell me that you're ready to go marchin' to the war
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Dm G7 C
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I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
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Before you pack your rifle and sail across the sea
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Just think upon the Southern part of the land that you call free
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Oh, there's many kinds of slavery and we've found many more
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I know you're set for fightin', but what are you fighting for?
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And before you walk out on your job in answer to the call
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Just think about the millions who have no job at all
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And the men who wait for handouts with their eyes upon the floor
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Oh I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
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[This verse is not in the sheet music]
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Turn on your TV, turn it on so loud
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And watch the fool a smiling there and tell me that you're proud
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And listen to your radio, the noise it starts to pour
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Oh I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
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Read your morning papers, read every single line
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And tell me if you can believe that simple world you find
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Read every slanted word till your eyes are getting sore,
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I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
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And listen to your leaders, the ones who won the race
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As they stand right there before you and lie into your face
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If you ever try to buy them, you know what they stand for
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I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
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Put ragged clothes upon your back and sleep upon the ground,
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And tell police about your rights as they drag you down,
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And ask them as they lead you to some deserted door,
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Yes, I know you're set for fightin', but what are you fightin' for?
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But the hardest thing I'll ask you, if you will only try
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Is take your children by their hands and look into their eyes
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And there you'll see the answer you should have seen before
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If you'll win the wars at home, there'll be no fighting anymore
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-----------------
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What Are You Fighting For
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| Phil Ochs |
