So Long, Mom
A Song for World War III
by Tom Lehrer

So long, Mom,
I'm off to drop the bomb,
So don't wait up for me,
But while you swelter
Down there in your shelter,
You can see me
On your T.V.

While we're attacking frontally,
Watch Brinkally and Huntally
Describing contrapuntally
The cities we have lost.
No need for you to miss a minute
Of the agonizing holocaust.

Little Johnny Jones, he was a U.S. pilot,
And no shrinking vi'let was he.
He was mighty proud when World War III was declared,
He wasn't scared, no siree!
And this is what he said on
His way to Armageddon:

So long, Mom,
I'm off to drop the bomb,
So don't wait up for me,
But though I may roam,
I'll come back to my home,
Although it may be
A pile of debris.

Remember, Mommy,
I'm off to get a commie,
So send me a salami,
And try to smile somehow.
I'll look for you when the war is over,
An hour and a half from now!