John Sinclair

Album: Sometime in New York City (1972)
Play Video
  • It ain't fair, John Sinclair
    In the stir for breathing air
    Won't you care for John Sinclair
    In the stir for breathing air?
    Let him be, set him free
    Let him be like you and me

    They gave him ten for two
    What else can the judges do?
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta set him free

    If he'd been a soldier man
    Shooting gooks in Vietnam
    If he was the CIA
    Selling dope and making hay
    He'd be free, they'd let him be
    Breathing air, like you and me
    Fight on

    They gave him ten for two
    What else can the judges do?
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta set him free
    Free

    They gave him ten for two
    They got old Lee Otis too
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta set him free
    Free now

    Was he jailed for what he'd done
    Or representing everyone?
    Free John now, if we can
    From the clutches of the man
    Let him be, lift the lid
    Bring him to his wife and kids
    Alright

    They gave him ten for two
    What else can the bastards do?
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
    Gotta, gotta, gotta set him free
    Free Writer/s: John Winston Lennon
    Publisher: Downtown Music Publishing
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

  • AnonymousIt’s
    What else can judge Columbia do
    And
    Let got Oun Plamondon too
  • Barry from New York, NcThe posthumously released album ACOUSTIC contains John's set at the 1971 John Sinclair rally. Short but sweet. Worth checking out.
  • Reed from New Ulm, MnWhat a sad pathetic injustice it was, what happened to John Sinclair---I praise John Lennon for having the guts to speak out about it!
  • Bob from Southfield, MiJohn Sinclair moved to New Orleans in the mid 80s but has returned to the Detroit area. He is still a popular figure around town making many appearances at jazz venues and poetry readings.
  • George from Calumet City, IlVery underrated song from the late, great John Lennon.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Bible Lyrics

Bible LyricsMusic Quiz

Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.