We Got To Win
Sonny Boy Williamson Lyrics


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We Got To Win Track 24 2:40
Sonny Boy Williamson I (John Lee)
(Sonny Boy Williamson I)
Sonny Boy Williamson - vcl and hca
Eddie Boyd - piano, Bill Sid Cox - gtr, Ransom Knowling - sbass
Recording: Chicago July 2, 1945 unissued
Album: Vol. 4 Document Records DOCD5058
Transcriber: Awcantor@aol.com



Now the United States did it once
An I just know'd they was goin' to do it again
Now the United Stated did it once
An I just know'd they was going to do it again
Now when the Germans first started the war
I just know'd the United State was gon' win

I didn't pass in the army
But I'm really doin' ev'rything I can, now
I didn't pass in the army
But I'm really doin' ev'rthing I can
Now an I'll just keep my fingers crossed
Because the United State have just got to win

(harmonica & instrumental)

I didn't mind goin' to the army
If that was all that we had to do
I didn't mind goin' through the army, yeah
If that was all that we had to do
Now we've already wupped the German
An we've gotta go an wup them Japanese, too

You know the President acks General MacArthur
'How many more ships a-do you need?'
You know the President acks General MacArthur
'How many more ships do you need?'

We are prob'ly need about a-couple more hundred ships
An Japan funeral, boy to be followin' after me, yeah.





~

Overall Meaning

The song "We Got to Win" by Sonny Boy Williamson is an ode to the United States' involvement in World War II. Williamson expresses his confidence in the country's ability to win the war against Germany and Japan, acknowledging the country's past successes and its ongoing efforts. The opening lines of the song establish this sentiment, with Williamson stating that the US has done it before and he knows they will do it again. He then goes on to express his support for the war effort, noting that he didn't pass in the army but is still doing everything he can to contribute.


Williamson also touches on the sacrifices made by those who served in the armed forces during the war, stating that he wouldn't have minded going to the army if that was all that was necessary to win. He recognizes that the war effort is ongoing, with the US having already "wupped the Germans" but still needing to defeat Japan. The song ends with a reference to President Roosevelt's questioning of General MacArthur regarding the number of ships needed, and Williamson's belief that a couple more hundred ships would do the trick and lead to Japan's defeat.


Overall, the lyrics to "We Got to Win" convey a strong sense of patriotism and support for the US's role in the war, while also acknowledging the ongoing work that still needs to be done to achieve victory.


Line by Line Meaning

Now the United States did it once
The US won a war before and I knew they would do it again


An I just know'd they was goin' to do it again
I had a strong feeling that the US would win another war


Now when the Germans first started the war
When Germany started the war


I just know'd the United State was gon' win
I was sure that the US would win the war


I didn't pass in the army
I wasn't accepted by the army


But I'm really doin' ev'rything I can, now
But I'm doing everything I can to contribute to the war effort


Now an I'll just keep my fingers crossed
Now I'll just hope for the best


Because the United State have just got to win
Because the US must win the war


I didn't mind goin' to the army
I wouldn't have minded joining the army


If that was all that we had to do
If that was the only thing needed to win the war


Now we've already wupped the German
Now that we've already defeated Germany


An we've gotta go an wup them Japanese, too
Now we have to defeat Japan as well


You know the President acks General MacArthur
You know the President asks General MacArthur


'How many more ships a-do you need?'
'How many more ships do you need?'


We are prob'ly need about a-couple more hundred ships
We probably need a couple hundred more ships


An Japan funeral, boy to be followin' after me, yeah.
And Japan's funeral will follow after us




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

wolverine3566

no more public declarations of love, lol

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