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 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
Temper 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