Why can't I be

June 1971

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Why can't I be like I want to be
Without being what other people don't want me to be
I want to do what's right without heading for a fight
I don't really want to have to break the rules

If people can't agree how other people ought to be
Then how're people going to know what's right or wrong
Folk here say its OK to cry out for more pay
But only if you're working half as long

Sometimes you compromise and you tell some little lies
And folk believe you and they think they know you all
But if what folk think aint true then how can folk like me and you
Ever know what's good or bad or big or small

You watch the people do their thing and you listen to them sing
And then you think you know what flames their inner soul
But they're part of you and me and when you talk to them you see
They don't really want to have to break the rules

Why can't I be like I want to be
Without being what other people don't want me to be
I want to do what's right without heading for a fight
I don't really want to have to break the rules