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Killing Machine

from Wage Love by Fred Gillen Jr

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about

New version of a song which appeared on Fred Gillen Jr's "We The People" CD and Gillen & Turk's "Backs To The Wall" CD. Song is about a war veteran who never really made it home.

lyrics

They decorated me ceremoniously, the governor was there and 3 generals too
I got my medals, I was on TV, but now what am I supposed to do?
‘cause there is no job for a killing machine back here in civilization
the army said they’d train me and give me a skill,
then they gave me a gun and sent me to kill
and now I’m home, but there is no home
for a newly retired killing machine

and nobody wants to hear my story
now the war is over and they want to forget
but how can I forget the people I killed and the friends I’ve lost?

So I walked into my bar unceremoniously, I was a regular here not so long ago
But now to some I’m a bit of a celebrity and to the rest I’m just a jar-head, a G.I. Joe
I buy a couple rounds but it ain’t the same, I’ll never again be one of the guys
So I sit at home and watch TV and try to forget what I know I can’t
There’s no escape, and no reprieve
For a newly unemployed killing machine

and nobody wants to hear my story
now the war is over and they want to forget
but how can I forget the people I killed and the friends I’ve lost?

They arrested me ceremoniously, they read me my rights like a reading at a mass
I’ll get 3 square meals and an orange jumpsuit,
but at least I will no longer be out on my ass
I’ll make dog-tags and license plates- the irony, I’ll take orders again like I did before
They say I can take classes and learn a trade, I’ll lift weights and drink cool aid
But there’s no honor to be had in this place
For a newly incarcerated killing machine

and nobody wants to hear my story
now the war is over and they want to forget
but how can I forget the people I killed and the friends I’ve lost?

Killing machine
I guess I’ll always be a killing machine
I don’t want to be a killing machine

credits

from Wage Love, released January 27, 2015

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Fred Gillen Jr Athens, New York

NYFA grant recipient Fred Gillen Jr has released 12 solo albums, and 6 ep’s, has toured all over the U.S. and Europe solo, and Nepal/ India with Greenheart. His songs have been on ABC's "All My Children," NPR's "Car Talk," CMJ, and his version of Woody Guthrie's "I Ain't Got No Home" was featured on Pete Seeger's "Pete Remembers Woody." He is also a founding member of THE TRIKE rock trio. ... more

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