Is this civilization
Is this all we're gonna be
A helpless United Nations
A censored BBC
War in the African nations
Hate in the Middle East
Just a mess of frustration
Waiting for release

Oh, no!
When they beat a drum
It's too much to swallow
Oh, no!
When they beat that drum
It just sounds so hollow
I'm not ready to fight
I'm not ready to go

I saw an F-111
Beside a Kremlin guard
And the Magnificent Seven
In the printed word
Is this a public service
Or a civil war
While I sit here nervous
Waiting for a call
Oh, no!
When they beat a drum
It's too much to swallow
Oh, no!
When they beat that drum
It just sounds so hollow
I'm not ready to fight
I'm not ready to go

Let cities crumble, empires waste
And generals find a resting place
For leaders too will be replaced
If fear and fate come face to face

Leave a red sky for night time
Know a mother's love
Here now for all time
Lose the tyrant's glove
Give the whole of the life lime
On the reaching palm
Leave us out of the dead line
For tomorrow's man

Oh, no!
When they beat a drum
It's too much to swallow
Oh, no!
When they beat that drum
It just sounds so hollow
I'm not ready to fight
I'm not ready to go
Oh, no!
When they beat a drum
It's too much to swallow
Oh, no!
When they beat that drum
It just sounds so hollow
I'm not ready to fight
I'm not ready to go