My transcription from the album "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of" (2006), found on Spotify. I have boldfaced the differences with the above transcription.


FIGHTIN' IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN
As recorded by Wilmer Watts and the Lonely Eagles, 1929.

The captain called out for volunteers; I shouldered up my gun.
First Spaniard that I seen, I dropped my gun and run,
But I's fightin' for this battleship of Maine.

CHORUS 1: I's fightin' in this great war with Spain,
Fightin' for the battleship of Maine.
Oh, get back, Spain; I don't own your name.
I'm fightin' for this battleship of Maine.

Marched out on the battlefield; I fell upon my knees.
First thing my eyes fell on was a great big pot of peas,
But I's fightin' for this battleship of Maine.

The peas they were greasy; meat it was fat.
The rest fought the Spaniards, but I was fightin' that,
While I's fightin' for this battleship of Maine.

CHORUS 2: It's all about this gol-darn rain,
All about this battleship of Maine.
Oh, get back, Spain; I don't own your name.
I'm fightin' for this battleship of Maine.

The blood it was runnin'; I was runnin' too.
Give my feet good exercise; did(?) nothin' else to do,
While I's fightin' for this battleship of Maine.

The captain asked me why I run; was I 'fraid to die?
Told him the reason that I run: because I couldn't fly,
But I's fightin' for this battleship of Maine.

CHORUS 2.

I marched around through Cuby, all back to Spain,
Through shot a-fallin' around me, just like a shower of rain,
While I's fightin' for this battleship of Maine.

I marched around through Cuby; I thought I'd lose my life.
Before I'd go to war again, I'd send my darlin' wife,
To fight for all this battleship of Maine.

CHORUS 2

You ought to seen the boat; she come around the bend.
She's loaded down with American men,
Ready for war, honey babe, as sure as you're born.

You can dodge behind the window, turn behind the door,
But you can't dodge American long .44's,
While I'm fightin' for this battleship of Maine.