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
Before it's too late
Before you are six
Or seven or eight
To hate all the people
Your relatives hate
You've got to be carefully taught

Careful the things you say
Children will listen
Careful the things you do
Children will see and learn
Children may not obey
But children will listen
Children will look to you
For which way to turn
To learn what to be
Careful before you say:
"Listen to me"
Children will listen

How can you say to a child
Who's in flight
"Don't slip away
And I won't hold so tight"
What can you say
That no matter how slight
Won't be misunderstood

What do you leave to your child
When you're dead?
Only whatever you put in it's head
Things that your mother and father had said
Which were left to them too

Careful what you say
Children will listen
Careful you do it too
Children will see
And learn
Oh guide them but step away
Children will glisten
Tample with what is true
And children will turn
If just to be free
Careful before you say:
"Listen to me"
Children will listen
Children will listen
Children
Children will listen