Phil Ochs
Lyric guide

Draft Dodger Rag

Draft Dodger Rag lyrics by Phil Ochs. Oh, I'm just a typical American boy from a typical American town I believe in God and Senator Dodd and a-keepin' old...

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Lyrics

Draft Dodger Rag

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Oh, I'm just a typical American boy from a typical American town

I believe in God and Senator Dodd and a-keepin' old Castro down

And when it came my time to serve I knew "better dead than red"

But when I got to my old draft board, buddy, this is what I said:

CHORUS

Sarge, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen

And I always carry a purse

I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse

Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt

Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm a-goin' to school

And I'm working in a DEE-fense plant

I've got a dislocated disc and a wracked up back

I'm allergic to flowers and bugs

And when the bombshell hits, I get epileptic fits

And I'm addicted to a thousand drugs

I got the weakness woes, I can't touch my toes

I can hardly reach my knees

And if the enemy came close to me

I'd probably start to sneeze

I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen

And I always carry a purse

I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse

Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt

Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm a-goin' to school

And I'm working in a DEE-fense plant

Ooh, I hate Chou En Lai, and I hope he dies,

Onething you gotta see

That someone's gotta go over there

And that someone isn't me

So I wish you well, Sarge, give 'em Hell!

Kill me a thousand or so

And if you ever get a war without blood and gore

I'll be the first to go

Yes, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen

And I always carry a purse

I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse

Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, and my poor old invalid aunt

Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm a-goin' to school

And I'm working in a DEE-fense plant

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Who performs "Draft Dodger Rag"?

Phil Ochs performs "Draft Dodger Rag", and this lyric page sits inside the Phil Ochs catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Draft Dodger Rag"?

Yes. The related section below points to Another Country and A Toast to Those Who Are Gone with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Phil Ochs?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Phil Ochs's lyric pages.

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