1. What did you learn in school today,
dear little boy of mine? (2x)
I learned that Washington never told a lie,
I learned that soldiers seldom die,
I learned that everybody's free,
and that's what the teacher said to me,
   and that's what I learned in school today,
   that's what I learned in school.

2. What did you learn in school today,
dear little boy of mine? (2x)
I learned that policemen are my friends,
I learned that justice never ends,
I learned that murderers die for their crimes,
even if we make a mistake sometimes,
   and that's what I learned in school today,
   that's what I learned in school.

3. What did you learn ... (2x)
I learned, our government must be strong,
it's always right and never wrong,
our leaders are the finest men
   and we elect 'em again and again,
   and that's what I learned ...

4. What did you learn ... (2x)
I learned that war is not so bad,
I learned about the great ones we have had,
we fought in Germany and in France,
and someday I might get my chance
   and that's what I learned ...


Tom Paxton, a long long time ago ...