[Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris]
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Well they registered everybody, when the war was on

[Verse 1]
Well, just about a few years, and some months ago
United States come, and voted for war
Sammy called a man from the East and the West
Get ready boys, we got to do our best

[Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris]
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Well they registered everybody, when the war was on

[Verse 2]
Well, with president Wilson sittin' on the throne
Making loss for everyone
Didn't call the black man to lay by the white

[Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris]
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Well they registered everybody, when the war was on

[Verse 3]
Ice on the landing, getting to [rage?]
Getting no better but the same old thing
Cents on the dollar, ride the train
Rates getting cheaper, take a ride again

[Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris]
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Well they registered everybody, when the war was on
[Verse 4]
Measure your boiler, measure your wheat
Half a pound of sugar for a person a week
Folks didn't like it, they blamed uncle sam
Have got to save the sugar for the poor in'a France

[Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris]
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Well they registered everybody, when the war was on

[Verse 5]
Well, boys whooped the Germans, home at last
Woulda' brought the kaiser but they run too fast
Coulden't blame the kaiser for'a leaving the land
Uncle Sammy had to save the skin'a most evil man

[Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris]
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Well they registered everybody, when the war was on

[Verse 6]
Tax getting heavy, time to pay
Half the boys all across the sea
Blood and water up to their knees
Faced the kaiser for'a you and me
[Chorus: Blind Willie Johnson & Willie B. Harris]
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Everybody wailed (when the war was on)
Well they registered everybody, when the war was on