When First Unto This Country
Phil Ochs| Original | Original lyrics [ |
| WHEN FIRST UNTO THIS COUNTRY | WHEN FIRST UNTO THIS COUNTRY A STRANGER I CAME |
| When first unto this country a stranger I came, I fought the Revolution, peace and quiet was my aim. When the Indians attacked us, at least that's what I'm told, So we threw them off their land with no thought of greed or gold. | When first unto this country a stranger I came I courted a fair maid and Nancy was her name I courted her for love her love I didn't obtain Do you think I've any reason or right to complain |
| Then our ships were being boarded, other countries took our men, Napoleon was too powerful, the British lost again. And then hopelessly outnumbered, we fought our level best, and we borrowed from Old Mexico the American South West. | I rode to see my Nancy I rode both night and day I stoled a fine stallion from Colonel Charles Grey I rode to see my Nancy I rode both day and night I courted fairest Nancy my own heart's true delight |
| And when that war was over there was no one left to fight So we turned and fought each other – to the historians' delight Then for thirty years we rested, and tried to ease the pain, until the Cuban sugar crop we gladly freed from Spain. | The sheriff's men they followed and overtaken me They carted me away to the penitentiary They opened up the door and then they threw me in They shaved off my hair and they cleared off my chin |
| Then Europe started feudin', there were profits by the score, So the ammunition makers fought the war to end all war, but old Hitler started marchin', he practiced over in Spain, the Depression was defeated, the world was safe again. | They beat me and they banged me and they fed me on dry beans 'Til I wished to my own soul I'd never been a thief With my hands stuck in my pockets and my cap set on so bold My coat of many colors like Joseph's of old |
| So we joined the United Nations in hopes that war would cease And except for Korea, we almost kept the peace. Yes, it's time to really end all wars, the H-Bomb makes it worse Besides this song is much too long to add another verse. | When first unto this country a stranger I came I courted a fair maid and Nancy was her name |
