I wasn't ready for the war, but the war was ready for me
I wasn't ready to give my life for something that shouldn't be
I was a fierce caged animal, yearning to be free
I wasn't ready to die for Roosevelt's boys in the war of '43.

I saw my target running, a German man I'd never met
The hate in my chest began to swell as terror grabbed me with its net
Blood throbbing in my head, thundering like the sky
I pulled the trigger and he collapsed, it was time for him to die.

The hourglass broke, my hate was replaced
With guilt as I knelt and stared face to face
At a mother's son, clutching his chest
His fearful eyes now put to rest.

I returned to my feet, my heart feeling numb
Ashamed of myself, I abandoned my gun
I slowly twisted to run away
Wishing it was my final day.

A hot bullet sliced into my back,
I did not feel fear, I only saw black
I felt myself choking, I saw myself fall
I heard myself crying at the end of it all.

I wasn't ready for the war, but I was drafted still
I wasn't ready for a new way of life, fight to win and shoot to kill
I was a craven coward, living to be free
I wasn't ready to die for Roosevelt's boys in the war of '43.