Making War
.
10/18/2007
by Tom Flannery
copyright 2007 (BMI)

I'm not the excuses kind of guy
but sometimes it helps just to ask why
I've got this bulls-eye on my back
just a day into my stay in Iraq
My Dad served his country in Vietnam
front row seat to the fall of Saigon
where his buddies deaths were blown away
by that last swirling chopper blade

We're making war
we're making war

Nineteen appears to be the age
when they need us kids to engage
with enemies far and enemies wide
commies and al qaeda milling outside
they're about to break down our doors
ravage our mothers and dirty our floors
kill 'em before they get that far
then we'll all belly up to the bar

We're making war
we're making war
don't ask me what I'm fighting for
I'm making war
I'm making war

Joined the corps right out of school
it was that or a life of pumping fuel
college a pipedream for guys like me
used to spitting into the sea
some things are possible and some take flight
like the sober man in a barroom fight
dreams are for losers with too much time
and too much faith in the divine

We're making war
we're making war

You think God goes to war you better think again
he just covers his eyes and wonders when
it'll all be over so he can pretend
that it was our prayers that made it all end
I did my praying before I came
and the answer was no so if it's all the same
I'll just take my chances on the promised land
even he don't know what I have planned

We're making war
we're making war
don't ask me what I'm fighting for
I'm making war
I'm making war

there's lovers and fighters
and doves on fire
dividers uniters
and muck and mire
traitors hanging 
from a old church spire
couples banging
on a telephone wire

Got a calendar to x off the days
and a chaplain who gives thanks and praise
for Haagen Dazs and Hershey bars
green zone pizzas and German cars
got a Humvee mounted with .50 cal
friendly valium for my pal
I never thought I'd end up here
things no longer as they appear

We're making war
we're making war
don't ask me what I'm fighting for
I'm making war
I'm making war

there's lovers and fighters
and doves on fire
dividers uniters
and muck and mire
traitors hanging 
from a old church spire
couples banging
on a telephone wire

We're making war
we're making war