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 overthrew 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 s under lock and key there s an idea rising that you can t detect from the same poor souls that you say you protect there s a violent burning hatred in every mother s son you better watch out cause johnny s got a gun you ve anchored your warships cleared all the airstrips readied the seeds of decay stolen the youth to fill the ranks in your troops keeping rebellion at bay the fathers before us who now line the graves are being remembered before it s too late and their sons you call rebels are becoming 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 so 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 come from the country the city and shore they come from the wind and the rain they 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