history speaks

What you gonna do when they come for you? 
Like they came for the gypsies and they came for the jews, 
And the brothers and sisters with a low IQ, 
And if man loves man they're gonna take them too...

First they'll come for the communists 
Then they'll come back for the anarchists 
And you prob’ly won't mind 'cause they'll call them 'terrorists' and you def’nitely won’t mind if they’re lairy or they’re pissed
But slowly you'll be heading to the top of the list, 
Your name and your number haven't been missed - 
All it takes is one wrong step and that's it, 
There's a man at the door putting bracelets on your wrists...

What you gonna do when they come for you? 
Who you gonna call you gonna complain to 
When you're locked in a cell on day 42? 
And you never spoke up, man won't speak up for you...

They'll come in the dark in the middle of the night 
Armed at the teeth in case you want to fight 
And it really won't matter if they're wrong or they're right 
'Cause you gave them the power, the money and the might 
And you thought you were fine 'cause they were on your side 
But the teeth you sharpened can always turn and bite -
Cos power's not a means, it's an end - hold tight - 
You're not gonna like it when you're in the line of sight

Years ago they used to lock you up just for being poor 
Or for marching in the street against an unjust law; 
Now they'll lock you up for throwing rubbish on the floor 
Or for smoking a joint behind your own locked door 
Every day you can count about a dozen new laws 
Can you tell me how it helps or what it's all for? 
We're locking up freedom more and more 
And you think you're safe - i've got to ask, are you sure?