I was surprised this lyric wasn't in the DT. The hymn "Farther Along" that served as the model and provided the tune for this Woody Guthrie lyric is in the DT. Here are the Guthrie lyrics as printed in "The Bells of Rhymney" by Pete Seeger (1964 Oak Publications.

I've Got To Know

words by Woody Guthrie (1950 Stormking Music)

Why do your warships sail on my waters?
Why do your bombs drop down from my sky?
Why do you burn my towns and my cities?
I want to know, friend, I want to know why.

CHORUS:
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know!
Hungry lips ask me wherever I go!
Comrades and friends all falling around me,
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know.

Why do these boats haul death to my people
Nitro explosives, cannons and guns?
Where is my food, my soap and my warm clothes?
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know.

You keep me in jail and you lock me in prison,
Your hospital's jammed, and your asylum is full
What made your cop kill my trade union worker?
I've got to know friend, I've got to know.

Why do your warships sail on my ocean?
Why do these bombs drop down from my sky?
Why doesn't your ship bring some food and some clothing?
I've got to know, friend, I've got to know why.

rich r