Teacher, Teacher

Teacher, teacher, do what you can
To teach your children all the knowledge of man
Teach them how to think and how to survive
A world that eats the soul and body alive
Teacher, teacher, you know what they face
A sea of bigotry for age, s**, or race
Or any other cause that's useful this year
Try to warn the children while they're still safe in here

Teacher, teacher, the hole waits outside
To turn your children into tools for his pride
He's always scratchin' for a way to come in
Here comes a pressure group, he's tryin' again
Teacher, teacher, you know you're alone
You're boss won't save your skin; he's saving his own
Nor will the parents help; they'll only condemn
They want their children taught to be just like them

Here comes the beaurocrat with fifty more rules
To tie your hands and take more bread from the schools
Here comes the preacher tryin' hard to get in
He wants all children taught his pet brand of sin
Here comes the government with plenty to say
It wants your children taught to serve and obey
Here comes the school board, and that's worst of all
They want the teachers taught to cave in and fall

Teacher, teacher, you know what you'll find
They want their thumbprints stamped on everyone's mind
The kids suspect it and resent it like hell
And all too often they'll suspect you as well
Teacher, teacher, tell me how can you teach
When all the grownups only want you to preach?
How can you teach the kids to think for themselves
With all the censors stealing books off of shelves?
(musical interlude)

Teacher guarding the dwindling flame
How many of your kids have beaten the game?
The wind is rising and the night's falling fast
Will you run, save yourself, or fight to the last