Burn Those Books

I don't see no harm in asking questions But somebody gonna tell you you’re outta your mind I don't see no harm in a frame of reference But somebody gonna accuse you of bein’ blind I don't see no harm in quoting philosophy Mythology, scientology, or the Bible But somebody gonna come round and order you to burn those books The dissident is on life support And he’s fighting for survival Burn those books -- They ain’t no good We’ll tell you what not to remember And train you on what you should I don't see no harm in raising objections But somebody gonna call it conspiracy theory I don't see no harm in a little reflection But the network censors gonna bring the flames of fury I don't see no harm in watching our past selves -- We were masters and slaves, black-face beggars and tyrants But somebody from the Department of Truth will burn those reels And give you false impressions Of everything from spirit to science Burn those films -- They're evil pure We’ll give you new versions of the past So that you grow up free and sure There were cowboys, there were Indians There were blacks and there were whites There were women, there were men And some of them stayed the night There were straights and there were gays There were gentiles and jews There were Pharaohs at the top of the heap And Egyptians paying all the dues Now the letters of history don't spell pretty words But we gotta read ‘em, anyway ‘Cause the day those pages turn up blank Will be our species’ final day