Phil Ochs

Oh I am just a student, sir

and only want to learn

But it's hard to read through the risin' smoke

of the books that you like to burn

So I'd like to make a promise

and 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 number

and you've taken off my name

To get around this campus

why, you almost need a plane

And you're supporting Chang Kai-Shek

while 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 freely

as those who live outside

Cause we also are entitled

to 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 father

you'd like to be my Dad

And give me kisses when I'm good

and 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 different

if I was here alone

But I've got a friend or two

who no longer live at home

And we'll respect our elders

just 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 countries

where the students take a stand

Maybe even help to overthrow

the leaders of the land

Now I wouldn't go so far to say

we'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 listens

my 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 sir

and only want to learn

But it's hard to read through the risin' smoke

from the books that you like to burn

So I'd like to make a promise

and I'd like to make a vow

That when I've got something to say, sir

I'm gonna say it now