G              Bm                C            G
Oh I am just a student, sir, and only want to learn
         Bm                                           C             D
But it's hard to read through the risin' smoke of the books that you like to burn
       G              Bm              C              G
So I'd like to make a promise and I'd like to make a vow
          C                     G             D            G
That when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now

[Verse 2]
G              Bm                C            G
Oh you've given me a number and you've taken off my name
         Bm          C           D
To get around this campus why you almost need a plane
       G              Bm              C              G
And you're supporting Chang Kai-Shek, while I'm supporting Mao
          C                     G             D            G
So when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now

[Verse 3]
G              Bm                C            G
I wish that you'd make up your mind, I wish that you'd decide
         Bm          C           D
That I should live as freely as those who live outside
       G              Bm              C              G
Cause we also are entitled to the rights to be endowed
          C                     G             D            G
And when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now

[Verse 4]
G              Bm                C            G
Ooh, you'd like to be my father you'd like to be my Dad
         Bm          C           D
And give me kisses when I'm good and spank me when I'm bad
       G              Bm              C              G
But since I've left my parents I've forgotten how to bow
          C                     G             D            G
So when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now

[Verse 5]
G              Bm                C            G
And things they might be different if I was here alone
         Bm          C           D
But I've got a friend or two who no longer live at home
       G              Bm              C              G
And we'll respect our elders just as long as they allow
          C                     G             D            G
That when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now

[Verse 6]
G              Bm                C            G
I've read of other countries where the students take a stand
         Bm          C           D
Maybe even help to overthrow the leaders of the land
       G              Bm              C              G
Now I wouldn't go so far to say we're also learnin' how
          C                     G             D            G
But when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now

[Verse 7]
G              Bm                C            G
So keep right on a-talkin' and tell us what to do
         Bm          C           D
If nobody listens my apologies to you
       G              Bm              C              G
And I know that you were younger once 'cause you sure are older now
          C                     G             D            G
And when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now

[Outro]
G              Bm                C            G
Oh I am just a student sir, and only want to learn
         Bm                                           C             D
But it's hard to read through the risin' smoke from the books that you like to burn
       G              Bm              C              G
So I'd like to make a promise and I'd like to make a vow
          C                     G             D            G
That when I've got something to say, sir, I'm gonna say it now