In another thread, it was suggested that the tune is very similar to "Muskrat Ramble," recorded by Louis Armstrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vpuFYQwZ5o

Thoughts?

-Joe-

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Here's my transcription of the "Fish Cheer" version of the song by Country Joe and the Fish, which seems to be the most commonly-found recording. The Digital Tradition lyrics are on the right - the DT version has some embarrassing mistakes.

FISH CHEER / I-FEEL-LIKE-I'M-FIXIN'-TO- DIE RAG (Joe McDonald) Gimme an "F" — "F" Gimme an "I" — "I" Gimme an "S" — "S" Gimme an "H" — "H" What's that spell? — "Fish! What's that spell? — "Fish! What's that spell? — "Fish!!!! Yeah, Come on, all of you big strong men. Uncle Sam needs your help again. He's got himself in a terrible jam, Way down yonder in Vietnam, So put down your books and pick up a gun. We're gonna have a whole lot of fun! CHORUS: And it’s l, 2, 3, what are we fighting for? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn. Next stop is Vietnam, And it’s 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 has come at last. Gotta go out and get those Reds, The only good Commie is the one that's dead. And you know that peace can only be won When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come! Come on, Wall Street, don't move slow. Why, man, this is war à-go-go. There's plenty good money to be made By supplying the army with tools of the trade. Just hope and pray that if they drop the Bomb, They drop it on the Viet Cong! Well, come on, mothers, throughout the land, Pack your boys off to Vietnam. Come on, fathers, don't hesitate. Send 'em off before it’s too late. Be the first one on your block To have your boy come home in a box.

FEEL LIKE I'M FIXIN' TO DIE RAG (Joe McDonald) Come on all of you big strong men, Uncle Sam needs your help again, He's got himself in a terrible jam, Way down yonder in Vietnam, So put down your books and pick up a gun, We're gonna have a whole lot of fun! And its l,2,3,4 what are we fighting for? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn-- nest stop is Vietnam, And its 5, 6 7,8 open up the pearly gates, There aint no time to wonder why, we're all gonna die! Come on generals, let's move fast, Your big chance has come at last, Now you can go out and get those Reds, The only good Commie is one that's dead, You know that peace can only be won When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come! 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 tools of the trade, Just hope and pray if they drop the bomb They drop it on the Viet Cong! Come on mothers, throughout the land, Pack your boys off to Vietnam, Come on fathers, don't hesitate, Send your sons off before its too late, You can be the first one on your block, To have your boy come home in a box.

Copyright Joe McDonald 1965
@political @war @peace
filename[ FIXNDIE
WS
OCT98

©1965, Joe McDonald

There's lyrics, sheet music, and guitar tab at countryjoe.com.

I saw Country Joe perform perform a few years ago. Just as I got to the ticket window, the clerk said they were sold out, but we could wait to see if there were no-shows. Country Joe came out about ten minutes later and gave six of us free tickets. I wasn't one of the lucky ones, but then a woman gave me her ticket.

He was doing a Woody Guthrie retrospective, and he did a wonderful job - with no Country Joe songs in the performance at all. But at the encore, he did sing "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag." The audience went wild!