Statecraft Informer

I know this is the time the majority of Americans often spend roasting chestnuts, drinking egg nog, and singing along with traditional Christmas carols.

I also realize much has changed since the good old bad old days of the sixties in the U.S.A.

Not the least of such changes are those which allow me to post my thoughts in this here blog, for any and all to see.

I am older, less hairy (except where I don’t want it :-p), more wrinkled and considerably softer around the edges.

There are some things that don’t ever seem to change very much, though. They mutate and evolve, but like the latest TV show, are only retreads of other stories twice-told.

In light of such things, like booming wartime economies, misguided politicians, anxious citizens and a troubled world, and especially to honor the thousands in uniform who serve their nation through it all, I offer a classic sixties carol (with minor modifiations) for Christmas 2006.

“I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die”

by Country Joe McDonald

Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He’s got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam (Saving us from our friend, Saddam)
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We’re gonna have a whole lotta fun.

And it’s one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn, (Don’t ask me, but I’m going back,)
Next stop is Vietnam; (Next stop is in Iraq;)
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.

Well, come on generals, let’s move fast;
Your big chance has come at last.
Gotta go out and get those reds — (There’s no time now to make amends—)
The only good commie is the one who’s dead (For this is the war that will never end)
And you know that peace can only be won (We’re gonna bring freedom to everyone)
When we’ve blown ‘em all to kingdom come. (Even if we gotta use a gun.)

And it’s one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn, (Don’t ask me, but I’m going back,)
Next stop is Vietnam; (Next stop is in Iraq;)
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.

Huh!

Well, come on Wall Street, don’t move slow,
Why man, this is war au-go-go.
There’s plenty good money to be made
By supplying the Army with the tools of the trade,
Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
They drop it on the Viet Cong. (They drop it over in Iran.)
And it’s one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn, (Don’t ask me, but I’m going back,)
Next stop is Vietnam. (Next stop is in Iraq;)
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.

Well, come on mothers throughout the land, (Well, come on mothers pick up the slack,)
Pack your boys off to Vietnam. (Pack your kids off to free Iraq.)
Come on fathers, don’t hesitate,
Send ‘em off before it’s too late.
Be the first one on your block
To have your boy come home in a box. (To have your kid come home in a box.)

And it’s one, two, three
What are we fighting for ?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn, (Don’t ask me, but I’m going back,)
Next stop is Vietnam. (Next stop is in Iraq;)
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.

“I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-To-Die Rag” copyright © Tradition Music, BMI, 1965 renewed 1993 by Alkatraz Corner Music, BMI

Anyone wishing to add the traditonal “Fish” cheer can be my guest.

I’m pretty sure it’s still a free country.