The Draft Dodger Rag

Phil OchsPhil Ochs 

Follow 2 fans

Phil Ochs

Philip David Ochs ( /ˈoʊks/; December 19, 1940 – April 9, 1976) was an American protest singer (or, as he preferred, a topical singer) and songwriter who was known for his sharp wit, sardonic humor, earnest humanism, political activism, insightful and alliterative lyrics, and distinctive voice. He wrote hundreds of songs in the 1960s and released eight albums in his lifetime. more »

Year:

2010

2:12

809 Views

Playlists:

#3

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Draft Dodger Rag
Phil Ochs
Written by Phil Ochs

Oh, I'm just a typical American boy from a typical American town
I believe in God and Senator Dodd and a-keepin' old Castro down
And when it came my time to serve I knew "better dead than red"
But when I got to my old draft board, buddy, this is what I said:

	CHORUS
	Sarge, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen
	And I always carry a purse
	I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse
	Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt
	Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm a-goin' to school
	And I'm working in a DEE-fense plant

I've got a dislocated disc and a wracked up back
I'm allergic to flowers and bugs
And when the bombshell hits, I get epileptic fits
And I'm addicted to a thousand drugs
I got the weakness woes, I can't touch my toes
I can hardly reach my knees
And if the enemy came close to me
I'd probably start to sneeze

	I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen
	And I always carry a purse
	I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse
	Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt
	Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm a-goin' to school
	And I'm working in a DEE-fense plant

Ooh, I hate Chou En Lai, and I hope he dies,
Onething you gotta see
That someone's gotta go over there
And that someone isn't me
So I wish you well, Sarge, give 'em Hell!
Kill me a thousand or so
And if you ever get a war without blood and gore
I'll be the first to go

	Yes, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen
	And I always carry a purse
	I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse
	Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt
	Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm a-goin' to school
	And I'm working in a DEE-fense plant

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer