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 what ever you put in its 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. 
Tamper 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