Oh you t^Cell me that there's danger to the ^Fland you call your ^Emown And you ^Fwatch them build the war machine ^Emright beside your ^Amhome And you t^Cell me that you're ready to go ^Fmarchin' to the ^Emwar I ^Dmknow you're set for fighting, but ^G7what are you fighting ^Cfor?

Before^C you pack your rifle a^Fnd sail across the ^Emsea Just ^Fthink upon the Southern part of the ^Emland that you call^Am free Oh, the^Cre's many kinds of slavery and ^Fwe've found many^Em more I ^Dmknow you're set for fightin', but ^G7what are you fighting ^Cfor?

And ^Cbefore you walk out on your j^Fob in answer to the^Em call Just ^Fthink about the millions who ^Emhave no job a^Amt all And the^C men who wait for handouts with^F their eyes upon^Em the floor Oh^Dm I know you're set for fighting, b^G7ut what are you fighti^Cng for?

Tu^Crn on your TV,^F turn it on so ^Emloud And w^Fatch the fool a smiling there an^Emd tell me that you'r^Ame proud And ^Clisten to your radio, the ^Fnoise it starts to^Em pour Oh^Dm I know you're set for fighting, b^G7ut what are you fighti^Cng for?

Read^C your morning papers, ^Fread every single ^Emline And t^Fell me if you can believe tha^Emt simple world yo^Amu find Read^C every slanted word till your^F eyes are gettin^Emg sore, I ^Dmknow you're set for fighting, but ^G7what are you fighting ^Cfor?

And ^Clisten to your leaders, ^Fthe ones who won the ^Emrace As th^Fey stand right there before yo^Emu and lie into yo^Amur face If yo^Cu ever try to buy them, you kno^Fw what they stan^Emd for I ^Dmknow you're set for fighting, but ^G7what are you fighting ^Cfor?

Put ^Cragged clothes upon your ^Fback and sleep upon the^Em ground, And t^Fell police about your r^Emights as they drag yo^Amu down, And^C ask them as they lead you t^Fo some deserted ^Emdoor, Yes,^Dm I know you're set for fightin', but ^G7what are you fightin' ^Cfor?

But ^Cthe hardest thing I'll ask yo^Fu, if you will only^Em try Is ta^Fke your children by their han^Emds and look into the^Amir eyes And ^Cthere you'll see the answer you^F should have see^Emn before If^Dm you'll win the wars at home, ^G7there'll be no fighting ^Canymore

Phil Ochs - What are you fighting for