I've Got to Know

Why do your war boats ride on my waters?

Why do your death bombs fall from my skies?

Tell me, why do you burn my farm and my town down?

I've got to know, friend, I've got to know

What makes your boats haul death to my people?

Nitro blockbusters, big cannons, and guns

Why doesn't your ship bring food and some clothin'?

I've sure got to know, folks, I've sure got to know

I've got to know, yes, I've got to know, friend

Hungry lips ask me, wherever I go

Comrades and friends all fall in around me

I've got to know, yes, I've got to know

Why can't my two hands get a good pay job?

I can still plow plant, I can still sow

Why did your law book chase me off my good land?

I'd sure like to know, friend, I'd sure like to know

What good work did you do, I'd like to ask you

To give you my money right out of my hands?

I built your big house here to hide from my people

Why do you crave to hide so? I'd love to know

I've got to know, yes, I've got to know, friend

Hungry lips ask me, wherever I go

Comrades and friends all fall in around me

I've got to know, yes, I've got to know

You keep me in jail, and you lock me in prison

Your hospital's jammed, and your crazy house full

What made your cop kill my trade union worker?

You'll have to talk plain 'cause I sure have to know

Why can't I get work and cash a big paycheck?

Why can't I buy things in your place and your store?

Why close my plant down and starve all my buddies?

I'm askin' you, sir, 'cause I've sure got to know

And I've got to know, yes, I've got to know, friend

Hungry lips ask me, wherever I go

Comrades and friends all fall in around me

I've got to know, friends, I've got to know