General Discussion

Written by Seeger in 1967, the song was an allegory for the turn of events in Vietnam at the time. In the song, a company commander criticizes his sergeant, which was widely seen as Johnson's arguments with (and ultimate firing of) his Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara.

Seeger performed this song at anti-war rallies, and the Smothers Brothers asked him to perform it on the first episode of their second season. CBS cut it from the show before airing though. That censorship only brought more attention to the song by the anti-war movement.

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

. . .