I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag

(Vietnam Rag)

Words and Music by Joe McDonald

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.

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.

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.

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]

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]

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]

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.

H O M E