Now playing

What Are You Fighting For

Chords

4.840 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

Oh you tCell me that there's danger to the Fland you call your Emown
And you Fwatch them build the war machine Emright beside your Amhome
And you tCell me that you're ready to go Fmarchin' to the Emwar
I Dmknow you're set for fighting, but G7what are you fighting Cfor?
Before Cyou pack your rifle aFnd sail across the Emsea
Just Fthink upon the Southern part of the Emland that you call Amfree 
Oh, theCre's many kinds of slavery and Fwe've found many Emmore
I Dmknow you're set for fightin', but G7what are you fighting Cfor?
And Cbefore you walk out on your jFob in answer to the Emcall
Just Fthink about the millions who Emhave no job aAmt all
And the Cmen who wait for handouts with Ftheir eyes upon Emthe floor
Oh DmI know you're set for fighting, bG7ut what are you fightiCng for?
TuCrn on your TV, Fturn it on so Emloud
And wFatch the fool a smiling there anEmd tell me that you'rAme proud
And Clisten to your radio, the Fnoise it starts to Empour
Oh DmI know you're set for fighting, bG7ut what are you fightiCng for?
Read Cyour morning papers, Fread every single Emline
And tFell me if you can believe thaEmt simple world yoAmu find
Read Cevery slanted word till your Feyes are gettinEmg sore,
I Dmknow you're set for fighting, but G7what are you fighting Cfor?
And Clisten to your leaders, Fthe ones who won the Emrace
As thFey stand right there before yoEmu and lie into yoAmur face
If yoCu ever try to buy them, you knoFw what they stanEmd for
I Dmknow you're set for fighting, but G7what are you fighting Cfor?
Put Cragged clothes upon your Fback and sleep upon the Emground,
And tFell police about your rEmights as they drag yoAmu down,
And Cask them as they lead you tFo some deserted Emdoor,
Yes, DmI know you're set for fightin', but G7what are you fightin' Cfor?
But Cthe hardest thing I'll ask yoFu, if you will only Emtry
Is taFke your children by their hanEmds and look into theAmir eyes
And Cthere you'll see the answer you Fshould have seeEmn before
If Dmyou'll win the wars at home, G7there'll be no fighting Canymore

All chords in this song (6)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

What Are You Fighting For

by Phil Ochs

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

C F Em

Oh you tell me that there's danger to the land you call your own

F Em Am

And you watch them build the war machine right beside your home

C F Em

And you tell me that you're ready to go marchin' to the war

Dm G7 C

I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?

C F Em

Before you pack your rifle and sail across the sea

F Em Am

Just think upon the Southern part of the land that you call free

C F Em

Oh, there's many kinds of slavery and we've found many more

Dm G7 C

I know you're set for fightin', but what are you fighting for?

C F Em

And before you walk out on your job in answer to the call

F Em Am

Just think about the millions who have no job at all

C F Em

And the men who wait for handouts with their eyes upon the floor

Dm G7 C

Oh I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?

C F Em

Turn on your TV, turn it on so loud

F Em Am

And watch the fool a smiling there and tell me that you're proud

C F Em

And listen to your radio, the noise it starts to pour

Dm G7 C

Oh I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?

C F Em

Read your morning papers, read every single line

F Em Am

And tell me if you can believe that simple world you find

C F Em

Read every slanted word till your eyes are getting sore,

Dm G7 C

I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?

C F Em

And listen to your leaders, the ones who won the race

F Em Am

As they stand right there before you and lie into your face

C F Em

If you ever try to buy them, you know what they stand for

Dm G7 C

I know you're set for fighting, but what are you fighting for?

C F Em

Put ragged clothes upon your back and sleep upon the ground,

F Em Am

And tell police about your rights as they drag you down,

C F Em

And ask them as they lead you to some deserted door,

Dm G7 C

Yes, I know you're set for fightin', but what are you fightin' for?

C F Em

But the hardest thing I'll ask you, if you will only try

F Em Am

Is take your children by their hands and look into their eyes

C F Em

And there you'll see the answer you should have seen before

Dm G7 C

If you'll win the wars at home, there'll be no fighting anymore

About What Are You Fighting For Chords by Phil Ochs

Learn how to play What Are You Fighting For by Phil Ochs with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “What Are You Fighting For chords”, “What Are You Fighting For guitar chords”, or “Phil Ochs What Are You Fighting For chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy What Are You Fighting For chords and for experienced players who want accurate What Are You Fighting For lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, F, Em, Am, Dm, G7.

FAQ — What Are You Fighting For by Phil Ochs

How do I play "What Are You Fighting For" by Phil Ochs on guitar?

Open the free chords for "What Are You Fighting For" by Phil Ochs on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "What Are You Fighting For" by Phil Ochs free?

Yes. The chords for "What Are You Fighting For" by Phil Ochs are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "What Are You Fighting For" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "What Are You Fighting For" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "What Are You Fighting For"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "What Are You Fighting For" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "What Are You Fighting For" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "What Are You Fighting For" by Phil Ochs with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Phil Ochs below.

What key is "What Are You Fighting For" in?

The chords for "What Are You Fighting For" show the original chord names (including C, F, Em, Am, Dm, G7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.