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When I was nineteen,
I was happy.
I could drink
in most states.

Gee Whiz, Golly!
When I was nineteen,
I could drive a car.
You can even (ha ha) vote.

Big Shit! All is nothing
when you wake up
each morning
with the fear

that a note of death
will be brought
to your door
by the friendly postman.

The flowers of gold in your hair,
The sea of blue in your eyes,
does not relieve this fear.

It's not enough to be good.
You must want to kill
to be allowed to live.

To be nineteen
and not wanting
to be nineteen.
This is the feeling

you've instilled
in your young,
oh great land of freedom
and pursuit of happiness.

Grab my hand,
little brother.
I won't let you sink
into that damned river of blood.

Step on my shoulders,
little brother.
It makes us both
a little stronger.

Take my love little brother.
It's a lousy world little brother.
Take my love.

It's a lousy world little brother.
Take my love.
It's a lousy world.

To be nineteen
and not wanting
to be nineteen.
This is the feeling

you've instilled
in your young,
oh great land of freedom
and pursuit of happiness.

To be nineteen
and not wanting
to be nineteen.
This is the feeling.