The Willing Conscript

Annotation

Released in 1963 (Folkways Records # FW05302), on this album Seeger played songs that first appeared in Broadside Magazine. Produced by Sis Cunningham, the booklet said that "this banjo picker can tell you...there has been a flood of new songs written in the USA during the last year...from this record I hope you get an idea of the wide ranging talents of the songwriters". This included the well-known conscription / draft song "The Willing Conscript" composed by Tom Paxton. The lyrics and music first appeared in Broadside # 28 (in June 1963), and this was the first recording / release on the song. It took a satirical approach to the draft, with sharp lyrics about a draftee off to war, who needed to learn how to kill: "I'll need instruction, sergeant, for I've never killed before".

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Annotation — Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs

Released in 1963 (Folkways Records # FW05302), on this album Seeger played songs that first appeared in Broadside Magazine. Produced by Sis Cunningham, the booklet said that "this banjo picker can tell you...there has been a flood of new songs written in the USA during the last year...from this record I hope you get an idea of the wide ranging talents of the songwriters". This included the well-known conscription / draft song "The Willing Conscript" composed by Tom Paxton. The lyrics and music first appeared in Broadside # 28 (in June 1963), and this was the first recording / release on the song.

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

Lyrics

English: 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 my only desire / To learn my weapon thoroughly and how to aim and fire / To learn to kill the enemy and then to slaughter more / Now there are several lessons that I haven't mastered yet / I haven't got the hang of how to use the bayonet / 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 it's wicked, muffled roar / Oh, I want to thank you, Sergeant, for the help you've given to me for you've taught me how to slaughter and to hate the enemy / I'll be ready when they march me off to war

About the artist

Iconic American contemporary folk singer, Pete Seeger (born 3 May 1919 in Manhattan, New York, USA, died on 27 January 2014, same location) played a key role in the 1950s contemporary folk revival and the 1960s anti-war and Civil Rights movement. He often wrote political songs, protesting against war, segregation, and calling for environmental protection. His body of songs referencing the Vietnam War is significant in both themes and volume: "The Willing Conscript" on the album Broadside Ballads Volume 2 (1963); "Beans in My Ear", "King Henry", and "The Draft Dodger Rag" on Dangerous Songs!?…

Themes

Draft · Anti-War

In collections

Draft Songs · Peace, Protest, & Anti-War Songs [War Years] · Pete Seeger Songs