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I'VE NEVER KILLED BEFORE

(learned at Teton Tea parties in the 1960s; written by Tom Paxton in 1965)

I am a draftee, sergeant, and I've just arrived in camp
I've come to wear the uniform and join the martial tramp.
I want to do my duty but one thing I do implore,
You must instruct me, sergeant, for I've never killed before.

To do my job obediently is my only desire.
To know my weapon thoroughly and how to aim and fire.
To learn to kill the enemy, and then to slaughter more,
You must forgive me, sergeant, for I've never killed before.

Now there are sev'ral lessons that I haven't mastered yet,
I haven't got the hang of how to use the bayonet.
If he doesn't die at once, am I to stick him with it more?
You must forgive me, sergeant, for I've never killed before.

And the 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 a wicked muffled roar?
You must forgive me, sergeant, for I've never killed before.

Now there's a rumor in this camp about the enemy;
They say that when you see him, he looks just like you and me.
But you deny it, sergeant, and you're a man of war,
You must forgive me, sergeant, for I've never killed before.

I want to thank you, sergeant, for the help you've been to me.
You've taught me how to kill and how to hate the enemy.
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.

(from miriam berg's folksong collection)