YOU'VE GOT TO BE CAREFULLY TAUGHT

 

Here is perhaps the most important of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s songs, from SOUTH PACIFIC –
 
You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear,
You’ve got to be taught from year to year,
It’s got to be drummed in your dear little ear—
You’ve got to be carefully taught!
 
You’ve got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a different shade—
You’ve got to be carefully taught.
 
You’ve got to be taught before it’s too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate—
You’ve got to be carefully taught!
You’ve got to be carefully taught!
 

SOUTH PACIFIC was having a bit of trouble during its out of town try-outs. It appears the show was running a bit long.  Consideration was given to how to trim a few minutes from the production.  Several individuals suggested that this song be cut from the show. But Richard and Oscar would not have it – they were adamant in their support of this song. Their response was - if the song is cut, they might as well close the show out of town. Since R+H were the producers the song remained.

 

The song relevant again today in light of the current political situation.  We must NEVER allow radical fundamental Christians or Republican fascists to be able to censor or control what is taught in our public schools!

 
TAFN