Violence flares and bullets loadin'.
You're old enough to kill but not for votin'
You don't believe in war but what's that gun you're totin'
And even the Jordan river has bodies floatin'.
And you tell me over and over and over again
my friend
That you don't believe
we're on the eve of destruction.
Now
don't you understand what I'm tryin' to say
And can't you feel the fears I'm feelin' today.
If the button is pushed there'll be no runnin' away
There's no one to save when the world's in a grave.
Take a look around you
boy
it's bound to scare you
boy.
And you tell me over and over and over again; my friend
. . .
Yeah
my blood's so mad
feels like coagulatin'
I'm sittin' here just contemplatin'.
But I can't twist the truth
it knows no regulations
A handful of senators don't pass legislation.
And marches alone
can't bring integration
When human respect is disintegratin
This whole crazy world is just too frustratin'.
And you tell me over and over and over again
my friend
. . .
When I think of all the people way out there in China
Then I take a look around me at Selma
Alabama.
Now
you may leave here
for four days in space
But when you retrun
it's the same old place.
It's the poundin' of the drums
the pride and disgrace
You can bury your dead
but don't leave a trace.
Hate your next-door-neighbour
but donY fol'get to say grace.
And you tell me over and over and over again
my friend
. . .