Mother, mother there's too many of you crying
Oh brother, brother, brother there's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some loving here today

Father, father we don't need to escalate
You see war is not the answer for only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some loving here today

Picket lines and picket signs, don't punish me with brutality
Oh and talk to me so you can see
What's going on, oh what's going on
Yeah what's going on, oh what's going on

Mother, mother everybody thinks we're wrong
But who are they to judge us simply because our hair is long
Oh you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today

Picket lines and picket signs, don't punish me with brutality
Oh and talk to me so you can see
What's going on, oh what's going on
Come on, what's going on, oh what's going on