The lyrics of the first two verses of this anti-militarist song are taken from an anonymous poem in the Industrial Worker, the newspaper of the IWW, during World War One. We have added the third verse, and selected the popular tune. We appreciate the parallels to the tradition of Irish and later punk rock anti-recruitment songs.
lyrics
I love my flag, I do i do
that floats upon the breeze
I also love my arms and legs
and neck and nose and knees
One little shell might spoil them
Or give them such a twist
They would be of no use to me
I guess I won't enlist
I love my country yes i do
I hope her folks do well
Without our arms and legs and things
I think we'd look like hell
Young men with faces half shot off
are unfit to be kissed
I've read in books it spoils looks
I guess I won't enlist
But if someday the call went out
to build this land some homes
where families live more happily
than in some dark catacombs
if the army marches to raise a park
for hikes and games and trysts
and let alone their tanks and drones
Well then I would enlist
credits
from In The Ruins They've Left Us, We'll Plant Gardens Still,
released December 23, 2020
Vocals: Jessica Garraway and Emmett Doyle
Bass: R Young
Guitar: Emmett Doyle
Accordion: Sam Adams
Songwriting: Anonymous Wobbly and Emmett Doyle
supported by 6 fans who also own “I Guess I Won't Enlist”
This album has been a powerful mix of hitting home and expanding my horizons. This is great music, both from and for the ongoing fight for universal human dignity. I don't know how he does it, but Emmett has a way of saturating each story he tells - even the ones far removed from his own experience - with a rich feeling of authenticity. Two thumbs up! jwberns
This album speaks to the continuum of African diasporic culture that is central to the vibrant canon of Americana folk music. Bandcamp Album of the Day May 29, 2020
Bright and skipping songs that foreground the sound of the banjo and fingerstyle guitar in music that feels timeless. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 5, 2020
Proceeds from this excellent new darkambient/neofolk comp from LEFT/FOLK goes to benefit American Near East Refugee Aid. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 10, 2024