Tin Soldiers

He joined up to get a job
 And show he wasn't scared
 Swapped boy scout hat for army cap
 hed finally be prepared
 At the age of 17 he was forced to choose
 Now at the age of 21 he's in Catch 22
 He joined up for just three years
 It seemed a small amount
 But they didn't tell him
 That the first two didn't count
 At the age of 17 how was he to know
 That at the age of 21 he'd still have one to go?
 (Chorus:)
 Tin soldier
 He signed away his name
 Tin soldier
 No chance for cash or fame
 Tin soldier
 Now he knows the truth
 Tin soldier
 He signed away his youth
 He joined up cos Dad knew best
 To do right by his son
 Now he hates and counts the dates
 That mark time on square one
 At the age of 17 he did as he was told
 Now at the age of 21 tin still won't turn to gold
 (Chorus)
 If at the age of 17 you fall in line too soon
 At the age of 21 you'll still march to their tune
 Tin soldiers
 You sign away your name
 No chance for cash or fame
 You never see the truth
 You sign away your youth
 You go and join the queue
 Do what they want you to
 They take away your name
 They treat you all the same
 Sign away you life