From THE BEST OF THE SMOTHERS BROTHERS DVD. Clean audio and video...better than here. Email me at sfuv@hotmail.com to learn more.
It was back in nineteen forty-two,
I was a member of a good platoon.
We were on maneuvers in-a Loozianna,
One night by the light of the moon.
The captain told us to ford a river,
That's how it all begun.
We were -- knee deep in the Big Muddy,
But the big fool said to push on.
The Sergeant said, "Sir, are you sure,
This is the best way back to the base?"
"Sergeant, go on! I forded this river
'Bout a mile above this place.
It'll be a little soggy but just keep slogging.
We'll soon be on dry ground."
We were -- waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool said to push on.
The Sergeant said, "Sir, with all this equipment
No man will be able to swim."
"Sergeant, don't be a Nervous Nellie,"
The Captain said to him.
"All we need is a little determination;
Men, follow me, I'll lead on."
We were -- neck deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool said to push on.
All at once, the moon clouded over,
We heard a gurgling cry.
A few seconds later, the captain's helmet
Was all that floated by.
The Sergeant said, "Turn around men!
I'm in charge from now on."
And we just made it out of the Big Muddy
With the captain dead and gone.
We stripped and dived and found his body
Stuck in the old quicksand.
I guess he didn't know that the water was deeper
Than the place he'd once before been.
Another stream had joined the Big Muddy
'Bout a half mile from where we'd gone.
We were lucky to escape from the Big Muddy
When the big fool said to push on.
Well, I'm not going to point any moral;
I'll leave that for yourself
Maybe you're still walking, you're still talking
You'd like to keep your health.
But every time I read the papers
That old feeling comes on;
We're -- waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
Waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.
Waist deep! Neck deep! Soon even a
Tall man'll be over his head, we're
Waist deep in the Big Muddy!
And the big fool says to push on!
Channel: Music Uploaded: July 27, 2007 at 4:12 pm Author:Slingblade11
hockonvict(Tuesday 2nd of December 2008 06:49:50 PM)
what a solid song timeless
yangyin09u(Saturday 29th of November 2008 05:42:55 PM)
"Fool me once Shame on you. Fool me twice Shame on me." --Chinese Proverb
How anyone, like me, who was alive during Vietnam could have voted for Bush in 04 or McCaine now is beyond me. Thanks to the people of all ages who read history and think; and realize we are not condemned to repeat it.
yangyin09u(Saturday 29th of November 2008 05:41:46 PM)
I really dislike that YouTube allows dissenting opinions like yours to be hidden, even though I think you're so misinformed. Damn, isn't the idea of the founders and freedom to protect the rights of the minority?
That said, if it wasn't for the French, Jefferson couldn't have understood the idea of "Inalienable rights". They also financed our revolution. Without the French, we'd be British & taxes would be 50%,if most of our ancestors we're allowed to immigrate at all; and food would be awful!
ubersoxfanjpm(Tuesday 18th of November 2008 04:14:32 PM)
Bush/Cheney is the captain.....Barack is the Sargeant!!!!
Doesn't this song remind you of the "War on Terrorism"?
4177 American soldiers dead and counting!
While this song was written in response to the Vietnam war, the message is as pertinent to modern affairs as it was back then. Pete Seeger risked his career and reputation to sing about what he believed in, and that is the best kind of heroism there is.
I realize my opinions are controversial, but I would appreciate it if I didn't get any childish, swearing responses.
SirCoughsalot(Wednesday 8th of October 2008 03:20:19 PM)
I agree with you 100%. I think this song applies as much today is it does back then. "We're waist deep in the Big Muddy, and the big fool says to push on." If I can learn it by then, I'm going to sing this song at my school talent show. (P.S. Who else thinks Pete should be on a postage stamp?)
ajferet(Thursday 23rd of October 2008 07:46:37 AM)
Not especially... We weren't attacked first in 'Nam...
jerrywrite(Saturday 29th of November 2008 10:41:24 AM)
absolutely. and on a coin and a dollar bill.
KENZOWAL(Thursday 6th of November 2008 02:54:45 PM)
The short response to your comments is "November 4, 2008". Pete Seeger, no overstatement, is a national treasure, and has put voice, music and words into the conscience of America for nearly 50 years; not without risk to his fate and his fortune.
