The Decemberists – Sixteen Military Wives lyrics

Sixteen military wives,
Thrity-two softly focused, brightly colored eyes,
Staring at the natural tan
Of thirty-two gently clutching wrinkled little hands.

Seventeen company men,
Out of which only twelve will make it back again.
Sargeant sends a letter to five
Military wives, whose tears drip down from ten little eyes.
(chorus)
Cheer them on to their rivals,

'Cause America can,
And America can't say no.
And America does,
If America says it's so, it's so.

And the anchorperson on TV
Goes "La-di-Da-di-Da."

Fifteen celebrity minds
Leading their fifteen sordid, wretched, checkered lives.
Will define the solution in time,
Using their fifteen crispy, moderate, liberal minds.

Eighteen Academy chairs,
Out of which only seven really even care.
Doling out a garland and five
Celebrity minds are humbly taken by surprise.

(chorus)

Fourteen cannibal kings
Wondering blithely what the dinner bell will bring.
Fifteen celebrity minds,
Served on a leafy bed of sixteen military wives.

(chorus)