/ / / / Met myself a common county welfare line I was a-feelin' strung out, hung out on the line Saw myself a-goin' down to the war in June All I want, all I want is to write myself a tune CHORUS: Wrote a song for everyone Wrote a song for truth Wrote a song for everyone-- When I couldn't even talk to you Verse 2: Got myself arrested, wound me up in jail Richmond 'bout to blow up, communication fails If you see the answer, now's the time to say All I want, all I want is to get you down to pray (chorus) (instrumental, same pattern as verses) (chorus) Verse 3: Saw the people standin' a thousand years in chains Somebody said it's a-different now; look, it's just the same Pharaohs spin the message round and round the truth They could have saved a million people, how can I tell you? (repeat chorus 3 times; third time, with extra measure and instrumental break, sing "cou-ou-ou-ou-ouldn't") / (you)