Where were you before the building burned;
Where were you before the building burned?
You've got a lot to say--Standing over ashes cold and gray;
But yesterday--Where were you?

Where were you before the building burned;
Where were you before the building burned?
You are horrified, but where were you when the baby died
Of rat-bites--Where were you?

Where were you before the building burned;
Where were you before the building burned?
You call the clubs and guns to beat down our maddened sons--
When they were quiet ones, Where were you?

Where were you before the building burned;
Where were you before the building burned?
That indignant voice is just a lot of empty noise
Cause when you had the choice, Where were you?

Where were you before the building burned;
Where were you before the building burned?
You've got a lot to say--Standing over ashes cold and gray;
But yesterday--Where were you?