Tin Soldiers Lyrics - Mighty Mighty Bosstones

He joined up to get a job 

And show he wasn't scared 

Swapped Boy Scout hat for army cap 

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? 

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 

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 

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