John McCutcheon Know When To Move
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
CHORUS:
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
CHORUS
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
CHORUS
