Written shortly before my 20th birthday, during the draft for Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War

You said we had to fight a war, and I said so what

To me your talk was rot, and I said this

You said when you're grown you'll know the score

Meantime go get shot

Then you cast my life by lot

And missed

Say we never said it

Say that times have changed

Say we'll comment later

Let's get out of range

Say we'll think about it

Say the file got lost

Learn to pull the trigger with your fingers crossed

I quite forgot your ballot-date, the first I knew at all

Was my grandmother's call when next we met

She said "They've missed your number out, thank God you're free"

And then she smiled at me

And wept

Say we never said it

Say that times have changed

Say we'll comment later

Let's get out of range

Say we'll think about it

Say the file got lost

Learn to pull the trigger with your fingers crossed

I'm no objector, I'm quite prepared to fight

For what I know is right, not what you please

Some said they wouldn't, some went and some few died

Some chose to run and hide

Like common thieves

Say we never said it

Say that times have changed

Say we'll comment later

Let's get out of range

Say we'll think about it

Say the file got lost

Learn to pull the trigger with your fingers crossed

Words and music by Andrew Alder