Story Behind the Song
Events of the eighties brought about this song...sadly, today the policies of the current regime make it the more poignant, I've changed the original "victims of A-bomb tests" to "...Gulf Syndrome"
It is included at POETS Against The War.org
Simply type Jesse Slokum in the find a poem form box
Lyrics
I am an old soldier, I did just what my country told me to
Now, I'm standing out here in this street, begging right in front of You
Reagonomics closed my rest home, and I don't know what I'll do...
Has TRUTH kept marching on?
My sergeant said our unit was made only the very best
But I don't want no hero's badge, I got scars all over my chest
I went to a Vets hospital, and they treated me like a pest
Has TRUTH kept marching on?
CHORUS: I ain't fighting in Nobody's ARMY,
Nobody's ARMY, Nobody's ARMY,
I ain't fighting in Nobody's ARMY,
I pledge allegiance to the FAMILY of PEACE
Bible thumpers and generals have blared out their holy writs
We marched off so glory-eyed, like sheep, and then the bomb-blast hits
That some who yell of patriotism turn and cut our benefits
Is TRUTH STILL marching on?
You can read your books of HIStory, it happens after every war
Went to see President Hoover, National Guard shooed us from his door
Now, when I sing of GRAPES of WRATH, I ask where are they kept in store?
Is TRUTH STILL marching on?
CHORUS: I ain't fighting...
We're told sacrifice for the state is most highly commend-able
Yet, when loan bills for bombs come due, VETS SEEM TO BE EXPEND-ABLE!
Yes, I'm speaking right from my heart to YOU, that isn't even defend-able
How LONG must TRUTH march on?
Listen up, MR. PRESIDENT, victims of gulf syndrome had better not be refused
Think of all the guiltless ones any soldier has ever abused
Don't think draft registration, you DON'T EVEN TAKE CARE OF THOSE YOU'VE USED!!!
WILL TRUTH COME HOME TO REST?
CHORUS: I ain't fighting in Nobody's ARMY,
Nobody's ARMY, Nobody's ARMY,
I ain't fighting in Nobody's ARMY,
I pledge allegiance to the FAMILY of PEACE
I pledge allegiance to the FAMILY of PEACE
I pledge allegiance to the FAMILY of PEACE
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