It was Ike the president that warned us right
About the military/industrial complex in its might
And now it's missiles here, napalm there
Designing atomic bombs just over the hill
And electron warfare that's designed to kill
Smart bombs, dumb bombs, guns and tanks
Bullets and grenades to fill the ranks
Helicopters and jets that are new
Subs, destroyers, and bombers too
The world’s arms merchants have year by year
Spread their weapons all around the sphere
With a global arsenal and a world of fear
So we must work together while there is still time
To end war and its business the world's worst crime
And on that day when the winds of war finally cease
When nuclear weapons are eliminated from the earth
We will build a better world with lasting peace
Our civilization will have a great rebirth
And, as Sir Arthur C. Clarke would contend
The long childhood of our species will finally end

Douglas Mattern