Lead Singer of Country Joe and the Fish Captured the Questions and Fears of a Generation
3/9/26 – – If you’re a member of the Woodstock generation (in your teens or 20s in 1969) you’ll remember the folk/rock group Country Joe and the Fish and its lead singer Joe McDonald. He died Saturday in Berkley, California, at age 84.
None of the group’s recordings were top-40 hits. But the band’s legendary performance at Woodstock (August 1969) of their anti-Vietnam-War anthem “I‑Feel‑Like‑I’m‑Fixin’‑to‑Die Rag” is seared into the memories of baby boomers.
Country Joe’s irreverent lyrics, banned by most radio stations, touched a chord with millions of Americans – – especially draft-age men like I was at the time – – opposed to our military intervention in Southeast Asia. The song’s catchy chorus echoed their questions and fears:
And its 1,2,3 what are we fightin for?
Don’t ask me I don’t give a dam, the next stop is Vietnam.
And It’s 5,6,7 open the pearly gates.
Well there aint no time to wonder why. WHOPEE we’re all gunna die.
McDonald’s death comes at a time our nation is again debating the wisdom and cost of far-off wars. There is no longer a draft, the geopolitical circumstances are very different, and the administration has pledged to wrap things up in weeks, not years. But with the bodies of our first soldiers killed in action having returned home yesterday, there is sure to be plenty of attention paid to Country Joe’s haunting refrains.
A personal note: I had just graduated from high school in 1969 and was offered tickets to Woodstock. I remember turning down the opportunity for two reasons: I had a summer job I couldn’t get away from, and I was worried about the parking. Seriously. I lost out on participating in one of the defining moments in American history because I wasn’t sure where I could leave my (my father’s) car. I guess, even in my youth, I was never the adventurous type.
For everyone else who stayed home from Woodstock, here are the lyrics Country Joe, may he rest in peace, will be remembered for:
“I‑Feel‑Like‑I’m‑Fixin’‑to‑Die Rag”
Well come on all of you big strong men, Uncle Sam needs your help again,
he got himself in a terrible jam, way down yonder in Vietnam,
put down your books and pick up a gun, we’re gunna have a whole lotta fun.
And its 1,2,3 what are we fightin for?
don’t ask me I don’t give a dam, the next stop is Vietnam,
and its 5,6,7 open up the pearly gates.
Well there aint no time to wonder why. WHOPEE we’re all gunna die.
Now come on Wall Street don’t be slow, why man this’s war a-go-go,
there’s plenty good money to be made, supplyin’ the army with the tools of the trade,
just hope and pray that when they drop the bomb, they drop it on the Vietcong.
CHORUS
Now come on generals let’s move fast, your big chance is here at last.
Gotta go out and get those reds cuz the only good commie is one that’s dead,
And you know that peace can only be won, when we’ve blow em all to kingdom come.
CHORUS
Now come on mothers throughout the land, pack your boys off to Vietnam,
come on fathers don’t hesitate, send your sons off before it’s too late,
be the first one on your block, to have your boy come home in a box.
And its 1,2,3 what are we fightin for?
don’t ask me I don’t give a dam, the next stop is Vietnam,
and its 5,6,7 open up the pearly gates.Well there aint no time to wonder why
WHOPEE we’re all gunna die.
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