THE WILLING CONSCRIPT
(Tom Paxton)

Oh sergeant I'm a draftee and I've just arrived in camp
I've come to wear the uniform and join the martial tramp
And I want to do my duty but one thing I do implore
You must give me lessons sergeant for I've never killed before

To do my job obediently is my only desire
To learn my weapon thoroughly and how to aim and fire
To learn to kill the enemy and then to slaughter more
I'll need instruction sergeant for I've never killed before

Now there are rumors in the camp about our enemy
They say that when you see him he looks just like you and me
But you deny it sergeant and you are a man of war
You must give me lessons sergeant for I've never killed before

Now there are several lessons that I haven't mastered yet
I haven't got the hang of how to use that bayonet
If he doesn't die at once am I to stick it with him more
I hope you will be patient for I've never killed before

And a hand grenade is something that I just don't understand
You've got to throw it quickly or you're apt to lose your hand
Does it blow a man to pieces with its wicked muffled roar
I've got so much to learn because I've never killed before

I want to thank you sergeant for the help you've been to me
You taught me how to kill and how to hate the enemy
And I know that I'll be ready when they march me off to war
I know that it won't matter that I've never killed before