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Draft Dodger Rag

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Amajor

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This is the way Phil played it at the Democratic Convention......
[Verse 1]
DI'm just a typical American boy from a Etypical American town.
I beA7lieve in God and Senator Dodd and in keeping old Castro Ddown.
And Dwhen it came my time to serve, I knew Ebetter dead than red.
But A7when I got to my ol' draft board, buddy this is what I Dsaid:
[Chorus]
Sarge, I'm Donly eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen,
And I Ealways carry a purse.
I got A7eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting Dworse.
Oh, Dthink of my career, my sweetheart dear, my Epoor old invalid aunt.
Besides, I A7ain't no fool, I'm going to school,
And I'm working in a defense Dplant.
[Verse 2]
I got a Ddislocated disc, and a racked up back,
I'm alElergic to flowers and bugs,
And when the A7bombshell hits I get epileptic fits
And I'm addicted to a thousand Ddrugs.
I got the Dweakness woes, I can't touch my toes,
I can Ehardly reach my knees.
And if the A7enemy came close to me, I'd probably start to Dsneeze.
[Chorus]
Sarge, I'm Donly eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen,
And I Ealways carry a purse.
I got A7eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting Dworse.
Oh, Dthink of my career, my sweetheart dear, my Epoor old invalid aunt.
Besides, I A7ain't no fool, I'm going to school,
And I'm working in a defense Dplant.
[Verse 3]
I hate DChou En Lai and I hope he dies, but one Ething you gotta see,
That A7someone's gotta go over there, and that someone isn't Dme.
So I Dwish you well, Sarge, give 'em hell,
Yeah, Ekill me a thousand or so.
And if you A7ever get a war without blood and gore,
Well I'll be the first to Dgo.
[Chorus]
Yes, I'm Donly eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen,
And I Ealways carry a purse.
I got A7eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting Dworse.
Yes, Dthink of my career, my sweetheart dear, my Epoor old invalid aunt.
Besides, I A7ain't no fool, I'm going to school,
And I'm working in a defense Dplant.

All chords in this song (3)

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Draft Dodger Rag

by Phil Ochs

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

This is the way Phil played it at the Democratic Convention......

[Verse 1]

D E

I'm just a typical American boy from a typical American town.

A7 D

I believe in God and Senator Dodd and in keeping old Castro down.

D E

And when it came my time to serve, I knew better dead than red.

A7 D

But when I got to my ol' draft board, buddy this is what I said:

[Chorus]

Sarge, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen,

And I always carry a purse.

A7 D

I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse.

D E

Oh, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, my poor old invalid aunt.

Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm going to school,

And I'm working in a defense plant.

[Verse 2]

I got a dislocated disc, and a racked up back,

I'm allergic to flowers and bugs,

And when the bombshell hits I get epileptic fits

And I'm addicted to a thousand drugs.

I got the weakness woes, I can't touch my toes,

I can hardly reach my knees.

A7 D

And if the enemy came close to me, I'd probably start to sneeze.

[Chorus]

Sarge, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen,

And I always carry a purse.

A7 D

I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse.

D E

Oh, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, my poor old invalid aunt.

Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm going to school,

And I'm working in a defense plant.

[Verse 3]

D E

I hate Chou En Lai and I hope he dies, but one thing you gotta see,

A7 D

That someone's gotta go over there, and that someone isn't me.

So I wish you well, Sarge, give 'em hell,

Yeah, kill me a thousand or so.

And if you ever get a war without blood and gore,

Well I'll be the first to go.

[Chorus]

Yes, I'm only eighteen, I got a ruptured spleen,

And I always carry a purse.

A7 D

I got eyes like a bat, and my feet are flat, and my asthma's getting worse.

D E

Yes, think of my career, my sweetheart dear, my poor old invalid aunt.

Besides, I ain't no fool, I'm going to school,

And I'm working in a defense plant.

About Draft Dodger Rag Chords by Phil Ochs

Learn how to play Draft Dodger Rag by Phil Ochs with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Draft Dodger Rag chords”, “Draft Dodger Rag guitar chords”, or “Phil Ochs Draft Dodger Rag chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Draft Dodger Rag chords and for experienced players who want accurate Draft Dodger Rag lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D, E, A7.

FAQ — Draft Dodger Rag by Phil Ochs

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What key is "Draft Dodger Rag" in?

The chords for "Draft Dodger Rag" show the original chord names (including D, E, A7). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.