Tom Paxton › Lyrics › The Willing Conscript

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 all that I desire
To learn my weapon thoroughly
And how to aim and fire

To learn to kill the enemy
And then to slaughter more
Oh, 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
So you must give me lessons
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 the bayonet

If he doesn't die at once
Am I to stick him with it more?
Oh, I hope you will be patient
For I've never killed before

And the hand grenade is somethin'
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 it's wicked, muffled roar?
Oh, I've got so much to learn
Because I've never killed before

Well, I want to thank you, sergeant
For the help you've been to me
You've taught me how to kill
And to hate the enemy

And I know that I'll be ready
When they march me off to war
And I know that it won't matter
That I've never killed before
I know that it won't matter
That I've never killed before