Story Behind The Song

Reaction to big branch mine disaster in Kentucky, followed by BP oil spill in Gulf of Mexico.

Song Description

Artist outraged by corporate greed. Profits for the few to the detriment of the many.

Lyrics

When I was just a child, my mother said to me
Do no harm little brother, bring no hurt or misery
Look at all the world around you, just like you it lives and breathes
All the animals and humans, every leaf on every tree
But how will I know I asked her, what is wrong and what is right?
In the passion of the passing moment, between the darkness and the light
It's already there inside you, just as night is dark and light is day
Trust yourself and let it guide you, let your inner compass point the way
First Chorus:
I know I know I know I know I know I know
(What's right) I know I know I know.

Far from the stone heart of the mountain, far from the danger of the mine
You calculate the cost of safety, but just protect the bottom line
Cutting costs and cutting corners, is just the same as costing lives
But you can't subtract the losses of the families, the children and the widowed wives
Oh big oil, Oh big money, oh big money, oh big coal
You sacrifice the environment, only for more and more and more
You dictate to our government, what to do and what to say
While you desecrate the firmament, and pour oil into the sea
Chorus:
I know you know, I know you know, I know you know what's right, I know you know
2 Am G F Em7

Coal lobbyists and politicians, oil executives and corporate thieves
When you look at your reflections, I can only wonder what you see
Will our grandchildren's children, have to live in darkness and disease?
And still you denigrate the planet, and taint the very air we breathe
I am a man like any other
Subject to corruption and decay
Torn between temptation and redemption
Between the darkness and the day
But in my heart of hearts, I can still hear my Mother say
Do the right thing little brother
And you will always find your way
Chorus:
I know you know, I know you know, I know you know (what's right)
I know you know

High up in glass buildings, behind the boardroom doors
Men and women make decisions that either help or harm the world
And I know that you are just people too, it's not too late to make a brand new start
And that somewhere deep inside of you still beats the compass of the heart
Look into the faces of the children, for them what future would you choose,
So come on and do the right thing now, we all have everything to lose.
Chorus:
And I know you know, I know you know, I know you know what's right, I know you know.