You've Got to Be Carefully Taught

I've been cheated before and I'm cheated again

By a mean little world full of mean little men

And the one chance for me is this life I know best

To be here on this island, to hell with the rest

I'll cling to this island like a rock or a stone

I'll cling to Manhattan and be free, and alone

You've got to be taught

To hate and fear

You've got to be taught

From year to year

It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear

You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught to be afraid

Of people whose skin is a different shade

Of people whose eyes are differently made

You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught

Before it's too late

Before you are six

Or seven, or eight

To hate all the people your relatives hate

Yes, you've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be taught

Before it's too late

Before you are six

Or seven, or eight

To hate all the people your relatives hate

Yes, you've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be carefully taught

You've got to be carefully taught