| Lyrics |
Phil Ochs
Oh I am just a student, sirand only want to learn
But it's hard to read through the risin' smokeof the books that you like to burn
So I'd like to make a promiseand I'd like to make a vow
That when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
Oh you've given me a numberand you've taken off my name
To get around this campuswhy, you almost need a plane
And you're supporting Chang Kai-
Shekwhile I'm supporting Mao
So when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
I wish that you'd make up your mind
I wish that you'd decide
That I should live as freelyas those who live outside
Cause we also are entitledto the rights to be endowed
And when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
Ooh, you'd like to be my fatheryou'd like to be my Dad
And give me kisses when I'm goodand spank me when I'm bad
But since I've left my parents
I've forgotten how to bow
So when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
And things they might be differentif I was here alone
But I've got a friend or twowho no longer live at home
And we'll respect our eldersjust as long as they allow
That when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
I've read of other countrieswhere the students take a stand
Maybe even help to overthrowthe leaders of the land
Now I wouldn't go so far to saywe're also learnin' how
But when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
So keep right on a-talkin'and tell us what to do
If nobody listensmy apologies to you
And I know that you were younger once'cause you sure are older now
And when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
So I am just a student sirand only want to learn
But it's hard to read through the risin' smokefrom the books that you like to burn
So I'd like to make a promiseand I'd like to make a vow
That when I've got something to say, sir
I'm gonna say it now
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