Story Behind The Song

I wrote it for a show about the late sixties.

Song Description

Two opposing viewpoints about war. A very intense juxtaposition between two young men - each having their own points about wanting to go to war and not wanting to go to war. Takes place in the late sixties.

Lyrics

ELLIOT
I DON'T WANT TO GO TO WAR,
I DON'T CARE ABOUT VIETNAM.
ALL I WANT IS PEACE AND LOVE
FOR THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.

I DON'T WANT TO GO TO WAR,
I DON'T WANT TO KILL A MAN.
I DON'T CARE! I WON'T FIGHT
FOR VIETNAM!

HERSCHEL
I HAVE TO GO TO WAR, I MUST FIGHT TO DEFEND MY LAND. IT'S THE START OF THE SIX DAY WAR OVER HILLS AND DESERT SAND. I HAVE TO GO TO WAR. I DON'T WANT TO KILL A MAN. BUT I MUST FIGHT - I MUST DEFEND OUR PROMISED LAND.
ELLIOT
THINGS ARE HEATING UP AT HOME,
IT'S THE START OF WATERGATE.
RICHARD NIXON IS IN POWER AND THE ESTABLISHMENT I HATE!
WHEN WILL THE KILLING STOP?
JUST HOW LONG MUST WE WAIT?
I DON'T CARE! I WON'T FIGHT FOR VIETNAM!
HERSCHEL
THERE'S BLOOD IN MUNICH!
THEY'VE ATTACKED AGAIN!
THEY'VE KILLED OUR ATHLETES
AND THE WORLD IS DARK WITHIN.
WHEN WILL THE KILLING STOP?
NOW THE YOM KIPPUR WAR BEGINS
ONCE AGAIN I MUST FIGHT!
I FIGHT TO WIN !

THINGS ARE HEATING UP AT HOME,
(THERE'S BLOOD IN MUNICH!)
IT'S THE START OF WATERGATE (THEY'VE ATTACKED AGAIN!)
RICHARD NIXON IS IN POWER AND THE ESTABLISHMENT I HATE! WHEN WILL THE KILLING STOP?
JUST HOW LONG MUST I WAIT? (NOW THE YOM KIPPUR WAR BEGINS.)
HERSCHEL:
ONCE AGAIN I MUST FIGHT!
ELLIOT:
I DON'T GIVE A DAMN!
HERSCHEL:
I HAVE TO FIGHT!
ELLIOT:
NOT FOR VIETNAM!
HERSCHEL:
I WANT TO FIGHT
ELLIOT:
NO I WON'T FIGHT FOR VIETNAM!HERSCHEL:
FOR MY PROMISED LAND!
ELLIOT:
I won't!
HERSCHEL:
I will!