David Byrne Poet Rhyme

Military Chant

I would like to preface this poem by saying that one of the most insidious atrocities of war is 
that older men (and women) send young men (and women) out to die! If all young people 
refused to fight we would put an end to war. Wishful thinking I know…………………. 




I don’t know but I've been told!
New recruits are young and bold!
We’ll take them in and shave their heads!
So they’ll all look the same when they are dead!

Don’t be shy! 
Join and die!

We’ll give each one of them a gun!
So they can kill and have some fun!
Their mom’s and dad’s are safe at home!
We can leave them all to grieve alone!

Say goodbye!
End is nigh!

Foreign lands are killing fields!
We kill and kill, we kill for greed!
Industry’s what makes us free!
The war machine’s about money!

My, oh my!
What a high!

We love new boys ‘cos they are fools!
We train them in our killing schools!
The poorest ones in body bags!
On their toes we’ll hang those tags!

It ain’t no lie!
Men must die!

Young men die so the rich can see!
Financial possibility!
Riches mount in piles so high!
When ordinance falls from the sky!

My, oh my!
What a high!

Come on fat-cats lets have some fun! 
While our boys are killing everyone!
Who cares about the casualties!
We’ll tell them it’s to make them free!

That is why!
Our boy's die!

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Audrey Haick January 5, 2010 at 2:18 PM David! I have to go admit these are my sentiments, exactly! I wish every young man and woman would refuse to fight and let those who are so eager for war, go fight instead!! Too many young men-our future- are being slaughtered! And for what? Some of the world's governments don't even know the inner workings of the enemy's mind! How can you defeat someone when you haven't studied him? Great job!

Linda-Marie Sweetheart January 5, 2010 at 5:05 AM I agree .. WAR is HELL.. those "fat cats" get greedier every new War.. the men and woman who serve are proud of their country and usually want to get a good education the military provides.. thats the draw to get them in and then ship them out to fight wars we have not business being involved with ... your poem is well written David and I do appreciate your compliment about my writing.. is this war why u think there is no God?..luv Linda-Marie.. my 21 yr. old son is leaving March 25th..

Sara Kendrick January 5, 2010 at 4:03 AM Sad. If the draft changed to draft people over fourty first, there would be talk, talk, and more talk before war. Young men join not to be brave but to get away from home(for many reasons), to get a job and the financial resources of the military, and other reasons. Like the thoughts and the way that you put it together. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my work. Sara

Andrea Dietrich January 4, 2010 at 11:25 PM I agree here, to a point. It is certainly true that many wars are started out of greed. It's clever how you did this as a miliatry chant. Some of their ads make me want to barf. My son was a marine. I have stories. . . . but I will keep my mouth shut. Thanks for your comments on my poetry. Luv, andrea