Lyrics

Following Orders
Words and music by Winston Apple

I was in Berlin, Germany in 1939
Hanging around the cabarets
Having a real good time
I got a letter from the government
Said they had a job for me to do
Running the ovens at Auschwitz
Helping the Fuhrer take care of the Jews
What could I do?

I was just following orders, doing what I was told to do
I was just following orders
Mister, I’m a lot like you

In 1969 I got a telegram from my Uncle Sam
Said that he needed me to help him out
He was in an awful jam
In Viet Nam even the women and children were carrying guns
We had to shoot ‘em on sight
There was no time for questions
There was a job to be done
What have I done?

I was just following orders, doing what I was told to do
I was just following orders
Mister, I’m a lot like you

Pilate stood before the angry crowd
And he said, “Boys you know it’s up to you.
You can crucify the criminal or the lamb.
I’ll go along with whatever you decide to do.”
He tried to wash his hands of the whole affair
He found they wouldn’t come clean
He fell down on his knees crying “Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy on me.
Can’t you see?
I was just trying to maintain order, trying to keep the peace.”
Maybe in some small way even Pontius Pilate
Is a little like you and me
We’re all just trying to maintain order
By doing what we’re expected to do
I’m tired of following orders
And I hope that you are too
I’m tired of giving, taking and following orders
How about you?


© 2004 Gary Winston Apple
Used by permission. All rights reserved.