I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag
(Vietnam Rag)
Words and Music by Joe McDonald
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Although this song is written out in the key of G, I often capo the
guitar up several frets, depending on the key I wish to sing in. Play
the song in a happy care-free style and feel free to substitute the name
of any country where you feel there is a war going on you would like to
sing about. Do not interpret the song word for word. It is military
humor tongue in cheek.
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1:
D
Come on all of you big strong men,
G
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
D
He's got himself in a terrible jam
G
Way down yonder in Vietnam
E7 A
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
D G
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.
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Chorus:
A7 A#7 D
And it's one, two, three,
D7 G
What are we fighting for?
D
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
G
Next stop is Vietnam;
A7 A#7 D
And it's five, six, seven,
D7 G
Open up the pearly gates,
E A
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
D G
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.
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2:
D
Come on generals, let's move fast;
G
Your big chance has come at last.
D
Gotta go out and get those reds
G
The only good commie is the one that's dead
E7 A
You know that peace can only be won
D G
When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come.
[Chorus]
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3:
D
Come on Wall Street, don't move slow,
G
Why man, this is war au-go-go.
D
There's plenty good money to be made
G
Supplying the Army with the tools of the trade,
E7 A
Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
D G
They drop it on the Viet Cong.
[Chorus]
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4:
D
Come on mothers throughout the land,
G
Pack your boys off to Vietnam.
D
Come on fathers, don't hesitate,
G
Send your sons off before it's too late. E7 A
You can be the first one on your block
D G
To have your boy come home in a box.
[Chorus]
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Note: As I have mentioned elsewhere I am guilty of leaving out the women in my early material so now
I always sing the last verse like this:
Come on mothers throughout the
land / And pack your boys off to Vietnam / Come on fathers, don't hesitate / and
send your DAUGHTERS off before it's too late / And be the first one on your
block to have your KIDS come home in a box.
Copyright © 1965 Joe McDonald
Copyright © 1977 Alkatraz Corner Music, BMI
International copyright secured
All rights reserved
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