| You know we read in the papers |
| And we hear on the air |
| Of killing and stealing |
| And crime everywhere |
| And we sigh and we say |
| As we notice the trend |
| This young generation |
| Where will it end |
| But can we be sure |
| That it’s their fault alone |
| I mean, that maybe a Part of it isn’t our own |
| Are we less guilty |
| Who place in their way |
| Too many things |
| That lead them astray |
| Like too much money to spend |
| And too much idle time |
| Too many movies |
| The kind of passion and crime |
| Too many books, man |
| That are not even fit to be read |
| Too much evil in what they hear said |
| And too many children |
| Encouraged to roam |
| By too many parents |
| Who won’t even stay at home |
| (Don't blame it on the children) |
| Well, man, kids don’t make the movies |
| And they don’t write the books |
| And they don’t go out |
| And paint gay pictures |
| Of gangsters and crooks |
| They don’t make the liquor |
| And they don’t run the bars |
| And they don’t make the laws |
| And they don’t buy the cars |
| They don’t peddle junk that |
| Well, that addles the brain |
| That’s all done by older folks, man |
| Greedy for gain |
| Delinquent teenagers, oh, man |
| How quick we do condemn |
| The sins of a nation |
| And then go and blame it on them |
| But the laws that are blameless |
| The Savior makes known |
| Now you tell me who is there |
| Among us to cast the first stone |
| For in so many cases |
| It’s sad but it’s true |
| That the title Delinquent |
| Fits older folks too |
| (Don't blame it on the children) |
| (Don't blame it on the children) |
| (Don't blame it on the children) |