Malvina Reynolds: Song Lyrics and Poems  



Where Were You?

Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1967 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1995.


Where were you before the building burned;
Where were you before the building burned?
You've got a lot to say--Standing over ashes cold and gray;
But yesterday--Where were you?

Where were you before the building burned;
Where were you before the building burned?
You are horrified, but where were you when the baby died
Of rat-bites--Where were you?

Where were you before the building burned;
Where were you before the building burned?
You call the clubs and guns to beat down our maddened sons--
When they were quiet ones, Where were you?

Where were you before the building burned;
Where were you before the building burned?
That indignant voice is just a lot of empty noise
Cause when you had the choice, Where were you?

Where were you before the building burned;
Where were you before the building burned?
You've got a lot to say--Standing over ashes cold and gray;
But yesterday--Where were you?


Malvina Reynolds songbook(s) in which the music to this song appears:
---- [none]

Other place(s) where the music to this song appears:
---- Broadside No. 83 (August 1967)

Malvina Reynolds recording(s) on which this song is performed:
---- [none]


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