I'm a Contra

While working at a record store I came across Phil Ochs. His songs inspired me to write some "topical" songs. This was one of the first that really caught on with the audience. 1987-88 was the height of the Iran-Contra scandal with Col. Ollie North testifying to Congress and the whole document shredding thing. Today I guess I would write a song called "Operation Fast & Furious".

Rather than just make a left-wing diatribe with a beat, I took on the persona of a Contra, hanging out in a bar, bragging to a girl about all the stuff he does as a "freedom fighter". Thus the catchy chorus "I'm a Contra, I'm a Contra, baby!" The verses are based on actual news events.

The version found on the 25th anniversary album "This Machine Eats Bacon" is a remix of the version found on my tape "Children with Pets". It was recorded live at Cross Street Station in Ypsilanti, MI with me on a 4 string tenor guitar backed by Jimigator Nichols on drums. I remember a military vet playing darts once commented: "I don't agree with him, but that's a darn good song!"

There's a bus coming down the road

full of women and little kids

they're headed for the clinic

so they can get a checkup

but they won't ever make it

because weapons came from America

I'm gonna blow it up

and shoot a pregnant lady in the head

Cuz I'm a Contra

I'm a Contra, baby

killing for America

I'm a Contra,

I'm a Contra, baby

killing for Uncle Same

Cuz I'm a Contra

I'm a Contra, baby

an American funded terrorist

I'm a Contra, I'm a Contra, I'm a Contra

Gonna take a late night trip

to the school out in the country

gonna plant a bomb or two because

I'm a freedom fighter

I killed my brother cuz he was a farmer

and I killed my sister

cuz she was a nurse

I killed my father cuz he was a farmer

then i ran across the border into Honduras

Cuz I'm a Contra...