Tom Lehrer: Author Lyric Sheets
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Public-domain lyrics

Dodging the Draft at Harvard

Tom Lehrer

Academic ambition and self-preservation meet in a satire of students sheltered from military service.

Tom Lehrer: Author Lyric Sheets Text 5 Undated text
Public domainCampusWarSatireWryProvocative
Complete public-domain lyrics

The source dates this wording to 1952 and names Irving Berlin's Oh How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning as its tune. The narrator's smug contrast between campus and Korea is historical satire, not present-day guidance about military service. The later 1972 reunion substitutions are identified separately in the sheet and are not blended into this version. The printed 2S classification is retained.

Verse 1

Oh, how I'd hate to go into the army,

Oh, how I'd rather remain at home.

That's why I am here today,

Working hard to get an A,

We're dodging the draft,

We're dodging the draft,

We're dodging the draft at Harvard.

Some day you may have to go to Korea.

Send us a souvenir if you can.

While you are out destroying life,

We'll be back home enjoying life.

It's great to be an essential man.

Verse 2

Some are too old to get into the army.

Some guys the army won't even take.

But we happily confess

That the draft board says: 2S.

We're dodging the draft,

We're dodging the draft,

We're dodging the draft at Harvard.

Some day you may have to go to Korea.

You may be leaving before too long.

But our draft board, influential men,

Insists we're all essential men,

And who are we to say they're wrong?

Entangling alliances

With all the arts and sciences

Will keep us home where we belong.

Credits

Written by Tom Lehrer

Words by Tom Lehrer, released into the public domain by the author. This is the author-published text edition, not a transcription of a particular performance.

Source & text edition

Author-published lyric sheet · original English words

Tom Lehrer's November 26, 2022 declaration relinquishes copyright in lyrics he wrote. It does not grant rights to third-party music, photographs or album artwork. This edition uses only his words.

Read the author’s lyric sheet (PDF)

View copyright evidence · Author’s public-domain declaration

Retrieved 2026-09-08. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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