"The Thought Stayed Free" lyrics - TOM PAXTON

A thought was born in the mind of a man
And it didn't please you and it didn't please me.
So we all got together and we made our plan
To drown that thought in the deep blue sea.

So we wrapped it up in a chain we bought
For it didn't please you and it didn't please me.
To the bottom of the ocean we threw that thought
And the chain went down, but the thought stayed free.

We locked that thought in the dungeon cell.
We slammed the door, threw away the key.
And how it happened no one can tell.
For the door stayed locked but the thought went free.

So the councillers met and laws were passed
The laws were nailled on every tree.
All the sheriffs were summoned, and troops were amassed
All the tanks turned out, but the thought went free.

And the councillers fears were realised
And they were frightened as they could be
For they only had to look in peoples eyes
For the terrible news that the thought was free.

Yes the thought was free and it spread like fire
Though it didn't please you and it didn't please me.
It was banished from the land by the King's desire
And the boat pulled out, but the thought stayed free.

Now worst of all in this terrible tale
Though we tried to hurl it from our shores
Not only did this troublesome thought prevail
But worst of all one thought bred more.