I-Feel-Like-I’m-Fixin’-to-Die Rag
(Vietnam Rag)
Words and Music by Joe McDonald
Original vinyl release: Vanguard (November 1967)

In the Fall of 1965, the remnants of the FSM (Free Speech Movement) on the BerkeleyCampus
were organizing a series of demonstrations against the war in Vietnam at the Oakland Induction Center.
Drawing on the experience of the Civil Rights Movement, the anti-war organizers
always provided entertainment either before or after the march.

Country Joe McDonald

Country Joe and the Fish


Joe McDonald had been editing a magazine he had founded, Rag Baby, and,
as the story goes, ran out of material. He got the idea of doing a talking
issue and through various devices and favors wound up having an LP
pressed; It contained the original recorded version of the so-called anthem
of the sixties "I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag".  The group  was a loose
collection of friends and acquaintances, performing mostly jug band-flavored
material, most of it Joe's. After a brief period Joe and Barry Melton earnestly
put together a rock band and called it Country Joe and the Fish and started
working at music on a rather full-time basis.
... Excerpt from Bill Belmont ( follow this link to learn more about CJM)


Lyrics:

The Fish Cheer & I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag
Gimme an F!
F!
Gimme an I!
I!
Gimme an S!
S!
Gimme an H!
H!
What's that spell ?
FISH!
What's that spell ?
FISH!
What's that spell ?
FISH!
Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.
And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.
Well, come on generals, let's move fast;
Your big chance has come at last.
Gotta go out and get those reds -
The only good commie is the one who's dead
And you know that peace can only be won
When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come.
And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.
Huh!
Well, come on Wall Street, don't move slow,
Why man, this is war au-go-go.
There's plenty good money to be made
By supplying the Army with the tools of the trade,
Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
They drop it on the Viet Cong.
And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.
Well, come on mothers throughout the land,
Pack your boys off to Vietnam.
Come on fathers, don't hesitate,
Send 'em off before it's too late.
Be the first one on your block
To have your boy come home in a box.
And it's one, two, three
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.