Steve Earle Rich Man's War Lyrics

Jimmy joined the army 'cause he had no place to go
There ain't nobody hirin' here since all the jobs went down to Mexico
Reckoned that he'd learn himself a trade may see the world
Move to the city someday and marry a black haired girl

Somebody, somewhere had another plan
Now he's got a rifle in his hand
Rollin' into Baghdad wonderin' how he got this far
Ah just another poor boy off to fight a rich man's war

Bobby had an eagle and a flag tattooed on his arm
Red white and blue to the bone when he landed in Kandahar
Left behind a pretty young wife and a baby girl
A stack of overdue bills and went off to save the world

It's been a year now and he's still there
Chasin' ghosts in thin dry air Meanwhile back at home, finance company took his car
He's just another poor boy off to fight a rich man's war

Ah when will we ever learn?
When will we ever see?
Stand up and take our turn
And tellin' ourselves we're free

Ali was the second son of a second son
Grew up in Gaza throwin' bottles
And rocks when the tanks would come
Ain't nothin' else to do around
Here just a game children play
Ah somethin' 'bout livin' in fear
All your life makes you hard that way

He answered when he got the call
Wrapped himself in death and he praised Allah
A fat man in a new Mercedes drove him to the door
Ah just another poor boy off to fight a rich man's war