I remember when I was a little kid meeting Daddy 'neath the 3-M lights
And I'd ride home on his shoulders through those hot New Jersey nights
And he always told when I got old that I would work there too
Now twenty years on the line and in two weeks time they're telling me I am through

Now, you don't have to tell me that times are bad and there's trouble all around
And I'm glad my Daddy never lived to see what's happening to this town
But I turned on the news just this morning and it gave me chills to see
Some 3-M workers in South Africa walking off their jobs for me

You go to know when to move
You go to know when to stand
You got to know when to follow
When to take command
Well, you gotta know how to recognize
Your story when you hear it
From just the other side of the railroad tracks
Or an ocean away from here

Now, I've never been much for politics and I've kept my nose real clean
But, you know, that just this morning I've been changed by what I've seen
'Cause the people in the next town over don't seem to give a damn
While some folks living off in slavery risk their lives to take my stand

You go to know when to move
You go to know when to stand
You got to know when to follow
When to take command
Well, you gotta know how to recognize
Your story when you hear it
From just the other side of the railroad tracks
Or an ocean away from here
From the graveyards in Soweto to the Freehold chimney stacks
There's chains upon the factory gates and there's chains upon the backs
And ain't it strange how people change when they find they're not alone
It'll make you strong just to hear your song ten thousand miles from home

You go to know when to move
You go to know when to stand
You got to know when to follow
When to take command
Well, you gotta know how to recognize
Your story when you hear it
From just the other side of the railroad tracks
Or an ocean away from here