Lyr Req: Peace Corps Training Blues

18 Feb 01 - 12:59 PM (#400882)
Subject: Lyr Add: PEACE CORPS TRAINING TALKING BLUES
From: GUEST,RPCV-Ethiopia VI

Many years ago, I learned this song during our Peace Corps training program at UCLA; it helped us cope with the stress of the training experience. I've always wondered who wrote the original version and would love to thank him for his contribution to our collective sanity.

PEACE CORPS TRAINING TALKING BLUES
(Anon Ethiopia IV, Salt Lake City 1964 Adapted by RPCV, Ethiopia VI (1965-68) Tune: probably one of Bob Dylan's)

I signed the application and I took the placement test,
I was very idealistic, wanted what was best;
"The best of what?" you ask. Well, I'm sure I don't know,
But my folks was 'gonna throw me out and I had no place to go.

Now old Jack Vaugh he wrote me and he said "I want your bod';
We need you in the Peace Corps, son, so please give us the nod;
Right here on this dotted line your name you must sign,
And don't ask me where you're going, I just know your luck is fine."

Well, I filled out all them Peace Corps forms, nearly blew my mind:
Dental, mental, passport, info, every other kind;
I quit my job, broke the lease, even sold the car,
And I came to Salt Lake City – a town without a bar.

"Welcome to the Peace Corps," said Okley with a grin;
"Here's the staff, there's the shrinks, to help you fit right in;
With your group of peers, by whom you'll be assessed,
They'll be watching you at meals and class and while you're getting dressed."

"Here are your instructors, they'll teach you how to speak,
Amharic, that's a language, it's even worse than Greek,
That was spoken many years ago by men of circumstance,
Who've all moved to DC where they've opened restaurants."

Now down in Salt Lake City, I nearly blew my cool,
It was "Tenasteling!" and TESL-Tech and three laps 'round the pool;
Fingerprints and typhus shots and greedy dentists too,
But best of all, that friendly shrink, my midnight interview.

"Sit right down," that doctor said, "Tell me all the news;
Do you love your mammie? Did you ever have the blues?
Tell me all about yourself, how you live your life,
Did you ever wet the bed, and why don't you have a wife."

"Now listen, Doc, I had a dream just the other day,
I dreamed that I was a spy for the CIA,
Our President, he says to me, 'You're gonna need both fists,
For you're goin' to Asmara to look for Communists!'"

"I walked into a tej-bet there, and stepped up to the bar,
My steel-trap mind could tell that there was trouble not too far,
Then the whole place exploded, there was Commies everywhere,
I said, 'I'm from the CIA!' They didn't seem to care."

"Get your pad, nurse," the doctor said, "I think this boy's insane;
Evil spirits have infused the soft spots in his brain;
He's obviously insecure, I bet he sucks his thumb;
He's an unpatriotic, no-good, bearded, rotten bum."

Bearing this in mind, I decided to go,
And pack my bags for Shiprock, in the land of Navaho;
Where it's hot and dry and dusty and the roaches are fun,
And the water is delicious; it'll keep you on the run.

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27 Feb 01 - 02:31 PM (#407328)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Peace Corps Training Blues
From: Sorcha

I would suggest you go to one or both of these sites and look around. Ask your question there.

http://www.concentric.net/~jmuehl/links.shtml or Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Ring.

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28 Feb 01 - 09:07 AM (#407929)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Peace Corps Training Blues
From: GUEST,RPCV-Etiopia VI

Sorcha, thanks for the lead.

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