I've Got to Know
Unveiling Injustice: Woody Guthrie's Urgent Questions in 'I've Got to Know'
Lyrics
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know, friend;
I feel the need to understand, and I must find out, my friend.
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go!
People in need are questioning me everywhere I go.
Comrades and friends all falling around me
My companions and friends are dying around me.
I've got to know, yes, I've got to know.
I need to understand, yes, I really need to understand.
Why do your war boats ride on my waters?
Why are your warships sailing in my waters?
Why do your death bombs fall from my skies?
Why are bombs causing death falling from my skies?
Why do you burn my farm and my town down?
Why are you destroying my farm and my town?
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know!
I need to understand, my friend, I really need to understand!
What makes your boats haul death to my people?
What motivates your ships to bring death to my people?
Nitro blockbusters, big cannons and guns?
Nitro blockbusters, big cannons, and guns – why?
Why doesn't your ship bring food and some clothing?
Why doesn't your ship bring necessities like food and clothing?
I've sure got to know, folks, I've sure got to know!
I really need to know, folks, I truly need to know!
Why can't my two hands get a good pay job?
Why can't I find a well-paying job with my two hands?
I can still plow, plant, I can still sow!
I can still plow, plant, and sow – why the struggle?
Why did your lawbook chase me off my good land?
Why did your laws force me off my fertile land?
I'd sure like to know, friend, I've just got to know!
I really want to know, friend, I just need to know!
What good work did you do, sir, I'd like to ask you,
What significant contribution have you made, sir, to deserve my money?
To give you my money right out of my hands?
I built your mansion here to distance myself from my people,
I built your big house here to hide from my people,
Why do you feel the need to hide? I'd love to know!
Why you crave to hide so, I'd love to know!
You keep me in jail and you lock me in prison,
What led your law enforcement to kill my union worker?
Your hospital's jammed and your crazyhouse full,
You have to explain clearly because I absolutely need to know!
What made your cop kill my trade union worker?
You'll hafta talk plain 'cause I sure have to know!
Why can't I find work and cash my paycheck?
Why can't I get work and cash my big paycheck?
Why do you shut down my factory and starve my friends?
Why can't I buy things in your place and your store?
I'm asking you, sir, because I genuinely need to know!
Why do you close my plant down and starve all my buddies?
I'm asking you, sir, 'cause I've sure got to know!
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