[Verse 1] Oh, I am just a student, sir, and only want to learn But it's hard to read through the rising 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 [Verse 2] 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 Chiang Kai-Shek, while I'm supporting Mao So when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now [Verse 3] 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 [Verse 4] 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 left my parents I've forgotten how to bow So when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now [Verse 5] 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 [Verse 6] I've read of other countries where the students take a stand They've even helped to overthrow the leaders of the land Now I wouldn't go so far to say we're also learning how But when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now [Verse 7] So keep right on a-talking and tell us what to do But 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 [Verse 8] So I am just a student sir, and only want to learn But it's hard to read through the rising 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