Why does America sit so still,
Watching all Europe die?
Doing nothing, or good, or ill,
To stop Red Death and Idiot Waste,
While the little nations, closer placed,
Beg for aid of the power we hold?
Why do we sit, unmoved and cold,
And the need of the world deny?
Answer, Americal—Why?

Why does America stain her hands
With blood that will never dry?
With war-priced wealth from helpless lands—
Speculating in Death Preferred;
Refusing to let her voice be heard
In the Council of Nations which may avail
To end the Horror? And, though it fail,
Why should we fail to try?
Answer, America!—Why?

Why does America turn away
From Europe's bitter cry?—
Death of the young men day by day,
Ruin of woman and child and land—
War will stop when the nations stand
Leagued together in Union wide;
Why does our nation turn aside
And let the First Call go by?
Answer, America!—Why?