Dear Mr. President

Today they laid me in the ground and covered me with dirt.
I didn’t mind much for myself, but Mama sure was hurt.
Sing a song to stop the War.

My Mama, she’s a lady, and even while she cried
She thanked them for the pretty flag they gave her ‘cause I died.
Sing a song to stop the War.

My Papa, he removed his hat, held it across his heart,
All the while the preacher spoke – that was the hardest part.
Sing a song to stop the War.

There was a line of long, black cars, as long as you could see,
Then they shot off twenty-one guns, the kind that killed [Gigi sang “murdered”] me.
Sing a song to stop the War.

As long as I remember, he was always straight and tall,
I’d never thought I’d see the day my Pa would trip and fall.

But as he walked back from my grave with Mama on his arm
It dawned on me I couldn’t go and help him on the farm
And I’d never pet my dog again or see the winter sky
Or taste Mama’s homemade cookies.  It ain’t much fun to die.

Sing a song to stop the War.

My Mama stood there crying cause I was her only son.
My generation is dying for a War that yours has begun.

Sing a song to stop the War.  Sing a song to stop the War.
Sing a song – Sing a song – Sing a song to stop the War.
Sing a song to stop the War.

©  2000  Gigi Goldstein