This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Hoorah!
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
When your back's to the wall,
And your luck is your all,
Then side with whoever you may.
Seek that which within lies waiting to begin
The fight of your life that is everyday.
Dance with the WarChild, the WarChild, Hoorah.
Dance with the WarChild, the WarChild, Hoorah.
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
In the heart of your heart, there's the tiniest part
Of an urge to live to the death
With a sword on your hip and a cry on your lips
To strike life in the inner child's breast.
Dance with the WarChild, the WarChild, Hoorah.
Dance with the WarChild, the WarChild, Hoorah.
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
When your back's to the wall,
And your luck is your all,
Then side with whoever you may.
Seek that which within lies waiting to begin
The fight of your life that is everyday.
Dance with the WarChild, the WarChild, Hoorah.
Dance with the WarChild, the WarChild, Hoorah.
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
In the heart of your heart, there's the tiniest part
Of an urge to live to the death
With a sword on your hip and a cry on your lips
To strike life in the inner child's breast.
Dance with the WarChild, the WarChild, Hoorah.
Dance with the WarChild, the WarChild, Hoorah.
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
WarChild, dance the days and nights away
Sweet child, how do you do today?
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