He rises every morning but he
Don't look at the sun
He reaches in the corner where
He keeps his loaded gun
Then he checks the firing action as
He straps it to his chest
Plans an ambush for the mailman even
Though it's all in jest
He's here, he's there, he's everywhere
He's found uptown and underground
Unlike my friend Flicka you know
He's not a myth
He's Persecution, Persecution
Persecution Smith

He's found at every protest march
You'll see him looking on
He'd soon join in to help but
He thinks it's all in fun
'Cause he isn't color-blind not to
Mention no one's fool
He knows how things should be but he
Ain't out to change no rules
His eyes can't see like you and me
His voice can't speak but only shriek
His brain it is like jelly
His muscles they are stiff
He's Persecution, Persecution
Persecution Smith

You can't walk down the street no
More without him walking by
You can't go to sleep at
Night without hearing him cry
You can't read a newspaper
Without reading about him
You can't escape him in the crowd
For he will be among them
He's here, he's there, he's everywhere now
He's found uptown and underground
In Watts, California you know who he was with
With Persecution, Persecution
Persecution Smith

When you're finished with your ideals
And you're finished with your dreams
When you're finished your crusading
And no longer hear the screams
When you're finished trying to picture
A world with people free
When you're finished looking up and the
Down is all you see
Then make your goal the first foxhole
And hide your head beneath your bed
'Cause you won't be alone my friend
You know who you'll be with?
With Persecution, Persecution
Persecution Smith