Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Almanac Singers
Canonical path: /almanac-singers/ballad-of-october-16th
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
Ballad Of October 16th
Read Ballad Of October 16th lyrics by Almanac Singers on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
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Curated by Ethan Walker
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Lyrics
Ballad Of October 16th
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It was on a Saturday night and the moon was shining bright
They passed the conscription bill
And the people they did say for many miles away
'Twas the President and his boys on Capitol Hill.
CHORUS:
Oh, Franklin Roosevelt told the people how he felt
We damn near believed what he said
He said, "I hate war, and so does Eleanor
But we won't be safe 'till everybody's dead."
When my poor old mother died I was sitting by her side
A-promising to war I'd never go.
But now I'm wearing khaki jeans and eating army beans
And I'm told that J. P. Morgan loves me so.
I have wandered over this land, a roaming working man
No clothes to wear and not much food to eat.
But now the government foots the bill
Gives me clothes and feeds me swill
Gets me shot and puts me underground six feet.
CHORUS
Why nothing can be wrong if it makes our country strong
We got to get tough to save democracy.
And though it may mean war
We must defend Singapore
This don't hurt you half as much as it hurts me.
CHORUS
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Who performs "Ballad Of October 16th"?
Almanac Singers performs "Ballad Of October 16th", and this lyric page sits inside the Almanac Singers catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Ballad Of October 16th"?
Yes. The related section below points to Greenland Fishing and Away, Rio with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Almanac Singers?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Almanac Singers's lyric pages.
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