Well I was romantic in my younger days
I courted and I married I'm sorry to say
I married a firl who was my heart's desire
Jumped out of the skillet right into the fire
Well the army was saying that they needed more men
At the recruiting station a man said step in
I signed all the papers to become a great liar
Jumped out of the skillet right into the fire
Well they sent me right quick where the bullets did fly
Made me a rifleman on the front line
I walked for miles under barded wire
To get out of the skillet right into the fire
Well if I had my choice of this army life
Or send me back home to my nagging wife
I guess I'd stay in here until I could retire
I jumped out of the skillet right into the fire
Now when I die and they lay me down I know
I hope it's above but just in case it's below
Just write on my tombstone, this boy he ain't no liar
He's been in the skillet, he's been in the fire
Law'd he's been in the skillet, he's been in the fire