Country Joe: Feel Like I’m Fixin to Die Rag (1969)

Country Joe and the Fish was an American rock band of the 1960s, fronted by United States Navy veteran Joe McDonald. Their best known single, an anti-Vietnam War song called Feel Like I’m Fixin to Die Rag, was recorded and released in late 1967. Musically, Feel Like I’m Fixin to Die takes the form of an upbeat ragtime song from the 1920s yet its lyrics are dark and sardonic, filled with black humour and pointed commentary about the folly of the Vietnam War. McDonald blames American involvement in Vietnam on several groups: the government, zealous military commanders, greedy arms manufacturers and capitalists – even parents who encourage or allow their sons to enlist. The dark tone of Feel Like I’m Fixin to Die meant it received little airplay on radio or television. Despite this, the song was widely known by young Americans, particularly those in the anti-war and counterculture movements. This video shows McDonald and his band performing Feel Like I’m Fixin to Die Rag at Woodstock in 1969.

Well come on all of you big strong men, Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He got himself in a terrible jam, way down yonder in Vietnam,
Put down your books and pick up a gun, we’re gonna have a whole lotta fun

And its 1,2,3 … what are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me I don’t give a damn, the next stop is Vietnam.
And its 5,6,7 … open up the pearly gates
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why, whoopee, we’re all gonna die.

Well come on Wall Street, don’t be slow, why man this is war au-go-go.
There’s plenty good money to be made
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.

And its 1,2,3 … what are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me I don’t give a damn, the next stop is Vietnam.
And its 5,6,7 … 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 is here at last.
Gotta go and get those reds, ’cause the only good commie is one that’s dead
And you know that peace can only be won when you blow them all to kingdom come

And its 1,2,3 … what are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me I don’t give a damn, the next stop is Vietnam.
And its 5,6,7 … open up the pearly gates
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why, whoopee, we’re all gonna die.

Well come on mothers across the land. Pack your boys off to Vietnam.
Come on fathers don’t hesitate, send your sons off before it’s too late,
Be the first one on your block to have your boy come home in a box

And its 1,2,3 … what are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me I don’t give a damn, the next stop is Vietnam.
And its 5,6,7 … open up the pearly gates
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why, whoopee, we’re all gonna die.

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