I wrote this song just before the invasion of Iraq, as a kind of companion piece to Axis of Evil. It is more of a protest song than the latter, which is really a fantasy and only indirectly a criticism of the war. This song is a reaction to the Australian government's decision to support Bush's war, just as, in an earlier era, it had been "all the way with LBJ". It also comments on the irony of its refusal to grant asylum to refugees from Saddam's Iraq. Lyrics: Oh, come let us take the king's shilling. Let us join the Coalition of the Willing. Very soon Australian blood will be spilling Just like it did in Vietnam. Let us send our young men out to Iraq. Ship them to the desert for a lark, Marching onwards into the dark. Send them out to fight for Uncle Sam. Send them out from Melbourne and from Perth. Who can measure what an Aussie life is worth? Let's help the USA to save the earth. Let's be a part of Little Johnnie's plan. Some bleeding hearts are even asking why Iraqi women and children have to die. But don't think you can make Johnnie cry. You people all voted for Saddam. So don't try to seek asylum in Australia. We'll make sure your efforts end in failure. If you come to our country we will jail ya And we'll send you back across the seas again. We don't want you people over here. You'd better get the message strong and clear. We're sending you back home to live in fear; Then we'll come and save you from Saddam Hussein. Regime-change seems to be the latest trend; We will bring this evil kingdom to an end. Little Johnny wants to be Big George's friend, So if we're in trouble he will lend a hand. Oh, come let us take the king's shilling. Let us join the Coalition of the Willing. Come along and join in all the killing. Let us fight and die for Uncle Sam.
USER:raymondcrooke
Tags: folk song war Iraq America USA Australia Bush Saddam Hussein Howard refugees asylum protest irony