Home Page »  B »  Blind Willie Johnson
   

When The War Was On Lyrics


Blind Willie Johnson When The War Was On




[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 loss 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]
Ice on the landing, getting to [rage?]
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]
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 poor 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 they run too fast
Coulden't blame the kaiser for'a leaving the land
Uncle Sammy had to save the skin'a most evil 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



from the recording booth to the kitchen: when musicians become culinary obsessives
From The Recording Booth To The Kitchen: When Musicians Become Culinary Obsessives
Evren E. - 05 May 2026
the ultimate fashion playlist: unpacking the devil wears prada 2 soundtrack
The Ultimate Fashion Playlist: Unpacking The Devil Wears Prada 2 Soundtrack
Chris Page - 29 Apr 2026
behind the charts: how labels track global music trends before they go viral
Behind The Charts: How Labels Track Global Music Trends Before They Go Viral
Faith Thompson - 26 Apr 2026
the ghost in the jukebox: can ai actually write a song that makes you cry?
The Ghost In The Jukebox: Can Ai Actually Write A Song That Makes You Cry?
Sasha Mednikova - 24 Apr 2026
pop icons behind the firewall: the quiet fight for global music freedom
Pop Icons Behind The Firewall: The Quiet Fight For Global Music Freedom
Evren E. - 16 Apr 2026
Browse: