It was early summer when it all began
The bombs were fallin' across the sea
Rainin' fire on Cambodia
We left our classes and took the streets
In Ohio we all felt helpless
Wonderin' what we ought to do
Shut down traffic and sing our loudest
Many students did it too
We said no classes until the war ends
Until the bombs no longer fall
Passed out fliers to all our comrades
And hung up posters upon the wall
We surrounded the ROTC
Training soldiers on these grounds
Up in the front some students started
Tried to burn the building down
It started burning but wouldn't catch right
We tried again but got the same
Marched around and came back later
When we returned it was all in flames
The fire truck came complete with soldiers
With bayonets and camouflage
They invaded our peaceful campus
Set up tents out in the yard
The very next day we did a sit-in
Against these troops who were a threat
The troops just pushed us back into campus
And stabbed us with their bayonets
Governor Rhodes came to campus
Said he'd use every force he had
To stop the protests and those who planned them
And the National Guard followed his command
On the fourth day the Guard was angry
We were there out on the lawn
We had some speakers and a small assembly
Said no justice til the Guard is gone
That's when the Guard gave us the order
Said leave now or we'll advance
We stood strong not taking orders
From scum-soaked soldiers with bloody hands
They fired tear gas and started marchin'
Some students threw the tear gas back
Some threw rocks up at the soldiers
Some soldiers threw the rocks right back
Then the Guard got in a huddle
Who said fire somebody knows
And thirteen seconds the firing followed
Four of us fell and never rose
Then the wounded became the dying
The dead lie still that summer day
The students tried to help the wounded
And the National Guard just walked away