Henry's Songbook

Get up, Jimmy Newman, the morning is come
The engines are rumbling, the coffee's all brewed
Get up, Jimmy Newman, there's work to be done
And why do you lie here, still sleeping

There's a waiting line forming to use the latrine
And the sun is just opening the skies
The breakfast they're serving just has to be seen
And you've only to open your eyes

Get up, Jimmy Newman, my radio's on
The news is all bad, but it's good for a laugh
The tent flap is loose and the peg must be gone
And why do you lie there, still sleeping

The night nurse is gone and the sexy one's here
And she tells us such beautiful lies
Her uniform's tight on her marvelous rear
And you've only to open your eyes

Get up, Jimmy Newman, you're missing the fun
They're loading the planes, Jim, it's time to go home
It's over for us, there's no more to be done
And why do you lie there, still sleeping

It's stateside for us, Jim, the folks may not know
We'll let it be such a surprise
They're loading us next, Jim, we're ready to go
And you've only to open your eyes

Get up, Jimmy Newman, they won't take my word
I said you sleep hard, but they're shaking their heads
Get up, Jimmy Newman, and show them you heard
Ah, Jimmy, just show them you're sleeping

A joke is a joke, but there's nothing to gain
Jim, I'd slap you, but I'm too weak to rise
Get up, damn it, Jimmy - you're missing the plane
And you've only to open your eyes
You've only to open your eyes

My God, Jimmy - open your eyes

[1988:] Written in 1969, about the Vietnam war. (Notes Tom Paxton, 'Politics)

[1991:] On Kennedy and the early development of the Vietnam War see Thomas C. Reeves, 'A Question of Character', 287ff