I Don't Want to Be President
Johnny Lyrics

Oh, send me off to war
The singer is willing to be sent to war.

With a gun in my hand
The singer is expected to carry a weapon while at war.

But I won't pull the trigger
The singer refuses to kill anyone even though he is asked to do so.

Our destiny is here
The artist wants to stay where he belongs instead of going to war.

Beneath the red, white and blue
The artist is referring to the American flag.

So lead me to the slaughter
The singer is comparing war to a slaughter since it involves killing.

Now don't be afraid
The singer is trying to encourage people to join the war effort.

Come and join the parade
The artist is inviting people to support the war effort.

For the ultimate in sacrifice
The artist is referring to dying in the war as the ultimate sacrifice.

It's an old-fashioned story
The artist believes the concept of war and sacrifice is outdated.

Of hope and of glory
The singer is saying that going to war is often glorified as an honorable thing to do.

A ticket for taking a life
The artist is saying that going to war is like being given a ticket that permits you to take someone else's life.

I, I don't want to be a hero
The singer does not want to become a hero by dying in the war.

I don't want to die for you
The singer does not want to die for the cause of the war.

I don't want to be a hero
The singer is repeating that he does not want to be considered a hero for going to war.

Oh send me off to war
The artist is repeating the idea of being willing to go to war.

In a far away land
The artist is referring to being sent to a foreign country to fight the war.

I never knew existed
The singer is saying that he's never heard of the place he's being sent to before.

Subject me to the truth
The singer is saying that going to war will expose him to the harsh truth about it.

To the horror and pain
The artist is referring to the emotional and physical pain of war.

Until my mind is twisted
The artist is saying that war has the potential to mentally affect someone's mind.

And what if I fail
The artist is concerned about the consequences of not meeting the expectations of war.

Will you put me in jail
The singer is asking if he will be punished for not following the orders of war.

For a murder I will not commit?
The artist is saying that he will not kill someone, and therefore will not commit murder.

'Cause you don't understand
The singer is telling others that they do not understand the true horrors of war.

Till there's blood on your hands
The singer is saying that people won't understand the consequences of war until they have actually experienced it firsthand.

That it's time to forget and forgive
The singer is saying that it's time to move on from war and forgive those who were involved.

And those who return
The artist is referring to soldiers who return from war.

Come back only to learn
The artist is saying that soldiers return home only to realize that they are not accepted by their loved ones.

That they're hated by those who they love
The singer is saying that soldiers feel rejected by friends and family when they come back from war.

'Cause you don't understand
The singer repeats that people cannot understand the difficulties of war unless they have experienced it personally.

Till there's blood on your hands
The artist repeats that people won't understand the true consequences of war until they have experienced it themselves.

That it's time to forget and forgive
The artist repeats this line, emphasizing the importance of moving on from war and showing forgiveness.

I, I don't want to be a hero
The artist repeats the statement about not wanting to be considered a hero for going to war.

I don't want to die for you
The singer repeats his belief that he should not have to die for the cause of war.

I don't want to be a hero
The artist repeats that he does not want to be glorified for participating in war.