They told me doncha go down to that city. Don't you go down to that city, I say
For there's trouble there for sure and it's no concern of yours and it's all I have to hear them people say

If you don't look around, you won't see my a-goin', see me a-goin' that way
If you don't look around, you'll have no way of knowin'. I don't think you even know what I say

And I saw children just walkin' 'long and singin' when a voice from behind me rang through
Then I saw an ugly man with a mad dog in his hand. He said, "Stand right there. I'll turn him loose on you."

If you don't look around, you won't see my a-goin', see me a-goin' that way
If you don't look around, you'll have no way of knowin'. I don't think you even know what I say

So don't tell me there ain't no time for singin' 'cause I don't need no empty words from you
If they're sayin' who ain't free then they're sayin' it right to me. So, go back home. I'll wake you when we're through

If you don't look around, you won't see my a-goin', see me a-goin' that way
If you don't look around, you'll have no way of knowin'. I don't think you even know what I say