the minstrel boy to the war is gone
in the ranks of death you'll find him
his father's sword he has girded on
and his wild harp slung behind him
out in the park we'll stage a fight
you play the one who has to die
i'll shoot the gun and you will cry
you will fall down and i will run
my daddy has a gun for real
he says he'll teach me to use it
i'm gonna have my own someday
my daddy told me what to do
he says the law is on our side
you've gotta shoot first and ask your questions later
you gotta get them before they get you
my older brother has his own
it's got a handle made of bone
he carries it all over town
my daddy gave my mama one
genuine real pearl handled gun
she says she gonna have some fun
did you see who got shot last night?
they rushed him off to surgery
i hope they catch the guy
i think they ought to shoot him
but if they bring him in alive
you've gotta shoot first and ask your questions later
you gotta get them before they get you
then i would never be afraid
i'd never use my gun on you
you'd never have to worry
you'd be the good guy on my side
i think when i grow up someday
i'm gonna be a green beret
i saw them sailing off to war
my daddy says it's not a game
we've got to play to win it
he says i'll have to learn to fight
you've gotta shoot first and ask your questions later
you gotta get them before they get you
you've gotta shoot first and ask your questions later
you gotta get them before they get you