[Intro]
(Spoken not song)
The gospel preaches
he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they train for war any more. Isaiah 2:4
Stoicism teaches
“We are mad, not only individually but nationally. We check manslaughter and isolated murders, but what of war and the much-vaunted crime of slaughtering whole peoples?” Seneca Letters 95.30
[Verse 1]
I seen men march
I seen them limp
Same dust on the boots
Same blood on the trim
Boss man smiling
He counts the coins
While the boys lay dead
(harmonica train starts up)
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't praise it
I don't curse the sky
I just watch it turn
When the money runs high
(harmonica solo)
[Chorus]
As long as war pays
They'll keep on warin'
As long as war pays
They'll keep on warin'
(keep on warin')
The grave gets dug
And the brass keep score
(harmonica solo)
[Verse 2]
Widows get flags
Boys got coffins
Church bells ringing
Over oil and blood
Old men talk
Like the kills were chess moves
I hold my hat
And stare at the mess
(harmonica solo)
[Pre-Chorus]
Same mouth says peace
Then sells more steel
Same hand signs papers
Then hides the deal
As long as they're getting paid it doesn't matter how many graves.
(harmonica solo)
[Chorus]
As long as war pays
They'll keep on warin'
As long as war pays
They'll keep on warin'
(keep on warin')
The grave gets dug
And the brass keep score
(harmonica solo)
[Bridge]
I ain't a hero
Ain't no saint
I just know a lie
When it stairs me in the face
They say they're fighting to keep the peace
But peace can't be found that way
(harmonica solo)
[Chorus]
As long as war pays
They'll keep on warin'
As long as war pays
They'll keep on warin'
(keep on warin')
The grave gets dug
And the brass keep score
(harmonica solo)
[Outro]
So remember your true vote doesn't come at The ballot box.
Comes with every dollar you spend
So vote with your dollars to end the wars.
Cuz As long as they keep getting paid
They'll keep making us pay with our lives.
(harmonica solo)
