You've crushed the resistence before it's begun

silenced the voices who've dared to confront

laying your hands upon all that you rule

becoming the man who you overtrew

now you better watch out

'cause johnny's got a gun



you've got all the armies, you've got all the arms

you've got all the armories

the harbor's blockaded, the streets barricaded

every thought is under lock and key

there's an idea rising that you can't detect

from the same poor souls you claim to protect

there's a violent burning hatred in every mothers son

you better watch out, 'cause johnny's got a gun



you've anchored your warships, cleared all the airstrips

readied the seeds to decay

stolen the youth to fill ranks in your troops

keeping rebellion at bay

the fathers before you who now line the graves

are being remembered before it's too late

and their sons you call rebels are coming one

you better watch out, 'cause johnny's got a gun



the hour's upon you, the past will soon haunt you

yesterday becomes today

the helpless, the hopeless, the lost ones, the homeless

the weak can afford to be brave

there's only much a poor man can take

before he no longer fears making mistakes

if dying's the answer, then dying be done

you better watch out, 'cause johnny's got a gun



They've come from the country, the city and shore

they've come from the wind and the rain

the come from the fires who's ashes are cold

they come from the desert and snow

they fear they'll be dying but more than that fear

the cries of oppression that no ears can hear

until every last rebel surrenders or runs

you better watch out, 'cause johnny's got a gun