What Are You Fighting For Chords & Lyrics by Phil Ochs
What Are You Fighting For
guitar chords lyrics
C F Em
Oh you tell me that there's danger to the land you call your own
F Em Am
And you watch them build the war machine right beside your home
C F Em
And you tell me that you're ready to go marchin' to the war
Dm G7 C
I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
C F Em
Before you pack your rifle and sail across the sea
F Em Am
Just think upon the Southern part of the land that you call free
C F Em
Oh, there's many kinds of slavery and we've found many more
Dm G7 C
I know you're set for fightin', but what are you fighting for?
C F Em
And before you walk out on your job in answer to the call
F Em Am
Just think about the millions who have no job at all
C F Em
And the men who wait for handouts with their eyes upon the floor
Dm G7 C
Oh I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
C F Em
Turn on your TV, turn it on so loud
F Em Am
And watch the fool a smiling there and tell me that you're proud
C F Em
And listen to your radio, the noise it starts to pour
Dm G7 C
Oh I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
C F Em
Read your morning papers, read every single line
F Em Am
And tell me if you can believe that simple world you find
C F Em
Read every slanted word till your eyes are getting sore,
Dm G7 C
I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
C F Em
And listen to your leaders, the ones who won the race
F Em Am
As they stand right there before you and lie into your face
C F Em
If you ever try to buy them, you know what they stand for
Dm G7 C
I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?
C F Em
Put ragged clothes upon your back and sleep upon the ground,
F Em Am
And tell police about your rights as they drag you down,
C F Em
And ask them as they lead you to some deserted door,
Dm G7 C
Yes, I know you're set for fightin', but what are you fightin' for?
C F Em
But the hardest thing I'll ask you, if you will only try
F Em Am
Is take your children by their hands and look into their eyes
C F Em
And there you'll see the answer you should have seen before
Dm G7 C
If you'll win the wars at home, there'll be no fighting anymore
