Country Joe’s “I Feel Like Im Fixin’ To Die” Woodstock Set Will Wake You Up!

The War’s Truth

Being a previous Navy man, Country Joe of Country Joe & The Fish really brought peace to Woodstock with his infamous Vietnam/ peace- inspired “I Feel Like I’m Fixin To Die Rag” upbeat-ly ironic set. As he sings about the horrors of the war in a spunky, fast- paced tune, the crowd cannot help but sing along as you will see in this video.

“Open up the pearly gates, well there ain’t no time to wonder why. Whoopee! We’re all gonna die….”

With all eyes pointed on the government in the lyrics, Joe calls out those that were responsible for its original initiation for selfish reasons like money and power. At that time, it was extremely difficult to slip through the cracks of the draft, which inspired Joe to write a song for those helpless kids that had no choice but to join the war.

Interesting Fact: The tune comes from a Ragtime song from around 1900. It was recorded at Arhollie Record’s Studio in Berkely. Arhollie is a major blues and folk music label in the US.

The beautiful and true irony of the lyrics mixed with the beat, as well as the upbeat personality of Joe pleading for Woodstockers to join in the tune, really inspires us to get on our feet and we think it will do the same for you.

Enjoy this awesome performance written for all of those unfortunate children that were dragged into a war that we never should have been in.

+ I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ To Die Rag Lyrics +

Well, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He’s got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We’re gonna have a whole lotta fun.

And it’s one, two, three,
What are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.

Well, come on generals, let’s move fast;
Your big chance has come at last.
Now you can go out and get those reds
‘Cause the only good commie is the one that’s dead
And you know that peace can only be won
When we’ve blown ’em all to kingdom come.

And it’s one, two, three,
What are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.

Come on Wall Street, don’t be slow,
Why man, this is war au-go-go
There’s plenty good money to be made
By supplying the Army with the tools of its trade,
But just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
They drop it on the Viet Cong.

And it’s one, two, three,
What are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.

Come on mothers throughout the land,
Pack your boys off to Vietnam.
Come on fathers, and don’t hesitate
To send your sons off before it’s too late.
And you can be the first ones in your block
To have your boy come home in a box.

And it’s one, two, three
What are we fighting for?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.