You've crushed the resistance before it's begun Silenced the voices who've dared to confront Laying your hands upon all that you rule Becoming the man who you overtrew Now you better watch out 'cause johnny's got a gun You've got all the armies, you've got all the arms You've got all the armories The harbor's blockaded, the streets barricaded Every thought is under lock and key There's an idea rising that you can't detect From the same poor souls you claim to protect There's a violent burning hatred in every mothers son You better watch out, 'cause johnny's got a gun You've anchored your warships, cleared all the airstrips Readied the seeds to decay Stolen the youth to fill ranks in your troops Keeping rebellion at bay The fathers before you who now line the graves Are being remembered before it's too late And their sons you call rebels are coming one You better watch out, 'cause johnny's got a gun The hour's upon you, the past will soon haunt you Yesterday becomes today The helpless, the hopeless, the lost ones, the homeless The weak can afford to be brave There's only much a poor man can take Before he no longer fears making mistakes If dying's the answer, then dying be done You better watch out, 'cause johnny's got a gun They've come from the country, the city and shore They've come from the wind and the rain The come from the fires who's ashes are cold They come from the desert and snow They fear they'll be dying but more than that fear The cries of oppression that no ears can hear Until every last rebel surrenders or runs You better watch out, 'cause johnny's got a gun