When The War Was On

Lyrics

[Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris] 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 [Verse 1] 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 [Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris] 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 [Verse 2] Well, with president Wilson sittin' on the throne Making laws for everyone Didn't call the black man to lay by the white [Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris] 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 [Verse 3] Price on the landing, getting to raise Getting no better but the same old thing Cents on the dollar, ride the train Rates getting cheaper, take a ride again [Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris] 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 [Verse 4] Yes you 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 boys in'a France [Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris] 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 [Verse 5] Well, boys whooped the Germans, home at last Woulda' brought the kaiser but he run too fast Coulden't blame the kaiser for'a leaving the land Uncle Sammy had to scare most any man [Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris] 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 [Verse 6] 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 [Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris] 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