We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Why Should I Be Kind to My Neighbor?

from Maxims, Mantras & Moral Tales by Sam Steffen

/

lyrics

In the states we got capitalism,
Seems to serve some pretty well—
The rich have the money and power
Rest of us are going to hell—
But it’s the same rules governing nature:
“only the fittest survive”
But whether you’re fit or a failure
Seems like everyone wants to know “Why—?

Chorus
Why should I be kind to my neighbor?
Tell me, what’s in it for me?
Why should I do him a favor?
When he ain’t done nothing for me?
There ain’t no money in kindness
Nobody ever got rich doing good
You want me to be kind to my neighbor
Tell me again why I should—

Well the teachers are up in the classrooms
They’re doing the best that they can
to keep all their kids out of trouble
to give every child some sort of plan
they’re teaching them science and history
English, geography, math
but what do they tell to the children
who put up their hands just to ask:

CHORUS

The preachers are up in their pulpits
They’re tellin everyone to do right
They say we should all be like Jesus
They’re tryin to fight the good fight
They tell all about all the wisdom he shared
How he lived his whole life without sin—
How he tried to stand up to the empire…
But won’t you look at what happened to him—so:

CHORUS

In the states we all got our freedom
We got our American Dream
The freedom to say it’s all dandy
And to pretend things are just as they seem
But as far as a strong moral compass
We gave up on that quest long-ago
Preferring, instead, the old mindset
that’s hung up on wanting to know:

CHORUS

credits

from Maxims, Mantras & Moral Tales, released October 3, 2021

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Sam Steffen image

Sam Steffen Boise, Idaho

Sam Steffen is a Pennsylvania-bred, Boise-based singer-songwriter whose songs are the torch-wood for a new generation of folk music that has learned from the best stuff in the tradition and aims in spite of everything to keep the human spirit alive and kicking. A versatile musician and skilled finger-picker, Sam is at heart a story-teller, and a prolific one. ... more

contact / help

Contact Sam Steffen

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Sam Steffen, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring interviews with LA music scene pillar Kamasi Washington, and new London-based duo Mrcy.

listen now