Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation

Tom Paxton

Originale

La versione "attualizzata" dedicata a George W.

LYNDON JOHNSON TOLD THE NATION I got a letter from L. B. J. It said this is your lucky day. It's time to put your khaki trousers on. Though it may seem very queer We've got no jobs to give you here So we are sending you to Viet Nam Lyndon Johnson told the nation, "Have no fear of escalation. I am trying everyone to please. Though it isn't really war, We're sending fifty thousand more, To help save Viet nam from Viet Namese." I jumped off the old troop ship, And sank in mud up to my hips. I cussed until the captain called me down. Never mind how hard it's raining, Think of all the ground we're gaining, Just don't take one step outside of town. Lyndon Johnson told the nation, "Have no fear of escalation. I am trying everyone to please. Though it isn't really war, We're sending fifty thousand more, To help save Viet nam from Viet Namese." Every night the local gentry, Sneak out past the sleeping sentry. They go to join the old VC. In their nightly little dramas, They put on their black pajamas, And come lobbing mortar shells at me. Lyndon Johnson told the nation, "Have no fear of escalation. I am trying everyone to please. Though it isn't really war, We're sending fifty thousand more, To help save Viet nam from Viet Namese." We go round in helicopters, Like a bunch of big grasshoppers, Searching for the Viet Cong in vain. They left a note that they had gone. They had to get down to Saigon, Their government positions to maintain. Lyndon Johnson told the nation, "Have no fear of escalation. I am trying everyone to please. Though it isn't really war, We're sending fifty thousand more, To help save Viet nam from Viet Namese." Well here I sit in this rice paddy, Wondering about Big Daddy, And I know that Lyndon loves me so. Yet how sadly I remember, Way back yonder in November, When he said I'd never have to go. Lyndon Johnson told the nation, "Have no fear of escalation. I am trying everyone to please. Though it isn't really war, We're sending fifty thousand more, To help save Viet nam from Viet Namese."

GEORGE W. TOLD THE NATION I got a letter from old George W., It said, "Son, I hate to trouble ya, But this war of mine is going bad. It's time for me to roll the dice; I know you've already been there twice, But I am sending you back to Baghdad." Hey! George W. told the nation, "This is not an escalation; This is just a surge toward victory. Just to win my little war, I'm sending 20,000 more, To help me save Iraq from Iraqis. And, so, I made it to Iraq In time for one more sneak attack, And to my old battalion I was sent. We drive around in our Humvees, Listening to The Black-Eyed Peas And speaking fondly of the president. Hey! George W. told the nation, "This is not an escalation; This is just a surge toward victory. Just to win my little war, I'm sending 20,000 more, To help me save Iraq from Iraqis. Celebrities all come to see us, Grateful they don't have to be us, Politicians show their best face card. Where is Bubba? Where's our leader? Where's our favorite lip reader? AWOL from the Texas National Guard Hey! George W. told the nation, "This is not an escalation; This is just a surge toward victory. Just to win my little war, I'm sending 20,000 more, To help me save Iraq from Iraqis. If you're hunkered in Fallujah Wondering who it was who screwed ya, Wondering what became of “Shock and Awe!” You are feeling semi-certain It has to do with Halliburton, Dick Cheney's why you drew that fatal straw. Hey! George W. told the nation, "This is not an escalation; This is just a surge toward victory. Just to win my little war, I'm sending 20,000 more, To help me save Iraq from Iraqis.