Pete Seeger - The Willing Conscript lyrics

Oh Sergeant I'm a draftee and
I've just arrived in camp
I've come to wear the uniform
And join the martial tramp
And I want to do my duty
But one thing I do implore
You must give me lessons, sergeant
For I've never killed before

To do my job obediently is my only desire
To learn my weapon thoroughly and
How to aim and fire
To learn to kill the enemy
And then to slaughter more
I'll need instruction, sergeant
For I've never killed before

Now there are several lessons that
I haven't mastered yet
I haven't got the hang of
How to use the bayonet
If he doesn't die at once am I
To stick him with it more?
Oh, I hope you will be patient
For I've never killed before
Oh, there are rumors in the
Camp about our enemy
They say that when you see him he
Looks just like you and me
But you deny it, Sergeant
And you are a man of war
So you must give me lessons
For I've never killed before

The hand grenade is something that
I just don't understand
You've got to throw it quickly or
You're apt to lose your hand
Does it blow a man to
Pieces with it's wicked, muffled roar?
Oh, I've got so much to learn
Because I've never killed before

Oh, I want to thank you, Sergeant
For the help you've been to me
For you've taught me how to slaughter
And to hate the enemy
And I know that I'll be ready when
They march me off to war
And I know that it won't matter
That I've never killed before
And I know that it won't matter
That I've never killed before