Not On My Watch

Not on my watch, oh not on my watch
Not while I'm around with all the love that I've got
Not on my watch, oh not on my watch
Not while I'm around
Not on my watch

I met a man the other day
His head was bald, his hair was gray
He said, I've got something to say
Before I let you go your way

Said he was there in a struggle
Had his share of getting in good trouble
He'd seen how hate can go from subtle into a deadly boiling bubble

Reach 'em young and teach 'em right
Speak the truth and seek the light
Change won't happen overnight
But you must wage a peaceful fight
For all the power to the people
God made everybody equal
Stand up tall and yell to all from high up on the mountain top

Not on my watch, oh not on my watch
Not while I'm around with all the love that I've got
Not on my watch, oh not on my watch
Not while I'm around
Not on my watch

Schoolyard bullies, lunchtime clashes
Grown up to be neo-fascists
Separate us into classes
And start more wars that end in ashes
But you can march and you can yell
Tell the president to go to hell
'Cause all his rich friends drained the well
You'll boycott everything they sell

The greed of businessmen at work
The selfish need to be ranked first
Pollutes our air and poisons earth
And leaves our sacred waters cursed
But God made everybody equal
So fight for power to the people
And make a vow you won't allow another mother's tear to drop

Not on my watch, oh not on my watch
Not while I'm around with all the love that I've got
Not on my watch, oh not on my watch
Not while I'm around
Not on my watch
Not on my watch
Not on my watch

What will you do with what I've told you?
Will you be brave? Will you be bolder?
Don't wait until like me you're old
And it's too late to save your soul

Let me tell you now my son
The devil's work is never done
You're still young, you've just begun
You must keep fighting till we've won
One day you're gonna be much older
And if this battle isn't over, grab a youngster by the shoulder
And show them how to be a soldier

Teach them strategy and planning
To keep them flames of war from fanning
Really all we are demanding is kindness, love, and understanding
And I won't take anything less

Not on my watch, oh not on my watch
Not while I'm around with all the love that I've got
Not on my watch, oh not on my watch
Not while I'm around
Not on my watch, oh not on my watch
Not while I'm around with all the love that I've got
Not on my watch, oh not on my watch
Not while I'm around
Not on my watch