Gone With The Draft
The Nat King Cole Trio Lyrics

Gone, gone, gone with the draft!
The singer repeats the phrase to highlight the fact that many young men have been taken away from their lives by the military draft.

When skinny me went out with my honey,
The singer used to be skinny, and he remembers going out with his girlfriend at the time.

The boys all started to laugh,
The singer's male peers laughed at him for being skinny and perhaps not traditionally masculine.

But now it's not so funny,
The artist's peers may not be laughing now, as they are being taken away by the draft.

They're all gone with the draft!
The artist notes that the same peers who laughed at him are now gone to serve in the military.

As a sheik I can't be beat,
The singer imagines himself to be a handsome and charming person.

The boys all hand me a laugh,
The singer's peers may continue to make fun of him for his fanciful image.

But since I have got flat feet,
The artist cannot join the military himself, as flat feet would be a disqualifying physical condition.

I'm not gone with the draft!
The artist notes that his peers may not have been so lucky, as they have been drafted into service.

I used to envy the fellows
The artist once admired other young men who had more attractive physical attributes.

Who had such a fine physique,
The other young men whom the singer envied were particularly well-built and handsome.

But all they can say is "Hello"
The artist suggests that these men, who are now in the military, cannot offer much beyond a friendly greeting on their current salary.

On seven fifty a week!
The low pay offered by the military contributes to the singer's suggestion that the drafted men are not doing so well.

When the boys get back and see how I'm doin',
The singer suggests that his peers will be surprised to find him doing well in their absence.

They'll be sorry they left,
The singer suggests that his peers will regret leaving their normal lives behind to serve in the military.

'Cause one can't keep on wooin'
The artist suggests that his peers cannot continue their romantic pursuits while serving in the military.

And still be gone with the draft!
The artist notes that his love life is still intact due to his not having been drafted.

When Franklin B did sign the draft,
The singer refers to President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the Selective Training and Service Act, which authorized the draft during WWII.

The cats all had a chill;
The singer suggests that there was widespread fear or apprehension upon the signing of the act.

The boys turned pale and ceased to laugh,
The artist suggests that his peers became more serious and concerned upon learning about the draft.

'Cause this is as serious bill!
The artist notes that the draft is a serious and significant government action.

They now realize that skinny me
The artist notes that his peers may now appreciate that he was more fortunate than they were in not being drafted.

Was the luckiest one of all,
The singer feels fortunate to have avoided the draft, at least for now.

Who can stay at home with Minnie
The artist has a romantic partner named Minnie and can remain at home with her while his peers go to war.

While they face the cannon ball!
The singer acknowledges the danger of serving in the military, as his peers may be in harm's way.

So boys, take it on the chin
The singer advises his peers to be resilient and tough in their situation.

And always wear a smile,
The singer suggests that maintaining a positive attitude is important in tough times like these.

You'll find it hard to grin
The artist suggests that it will be hard to maintain a happy disposition while carrying heavy equipment while serving in the military.

Carrying fifty pounds for miles!
The artist emphasizes the difficult physical aspects of serving in the military, including carrying heavy loads over long distances.

When your year of drillin's up,
The singer refers to the eventual end of the drafted soldiers' service, which typically lasted one year for WWII draftees.

You get to camp discharge,
The singer notes that the soldiers will be discharged from the military once their service is over and they have completed training.

You can come back home and freshen up,
The artist imagines the relief and joy that the soldiers will feel upon returning home and living normal lives once again.

And run around at large!
The artist suggests that the soldiers will be free to do as they please once they are no longer subject to the demands of the military.

Gone gone gone gone,
The artist again repeats the word "gone," underscoring the impact that the draft has had on the population.

With the draft draft draft draft!
The singer refers again to the draft, emphasizing its role in sending young men off to serve in WWII.