When the War Was On - Blind Willie Johnson

Well, just about a few years, and some months ago

United States come, and voted for war

Sammy called a man from the East and the West

Get ready boys, we got to do our best

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Well they registered everybody, when the war was on

Well, with president Wilson sittin' on the throne

Making loss for everyone

Didn’t call the black man to lay by the white

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Well they registered everybody, when the war was on

Ice on the landing, getting to

Getting no better but the same old thing

Cents on the dollar, ride the train

Rates getting cheaper, take a ride again

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Well they registered everybody, when the war was on

Measure your boiler, measure your wheat

Half a pound of sugar for a person a week

Folks didn’t like it, they blamed uncle sam

Have got to save the sugar for the poor in’a France

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Well they registered everybody, when the war was on

Well, boys whooped the Germans, home at last

Woulda' brought the kaiser but they run too fast

Coulden’t blame the kaiser for’a leaving the land

Uncle Sammy had to save the skin’a most evil man

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Well they registered everybody, when the war was on

Tax getting heavy, time to pay

Half the boys all across the sea

Blood and water up to their knees

Faced the kaiser for’a you and me

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Everybody wailed (when the war was on)

Well they registered everybody, when the war was on