Stiff Little Fingers - Tin Soldier lyrics

He joined up to get a job and show he wasn't scared Swapped boy scout hat for army cap He thought he'd be prepared At the age of seventeen, he was forced to choose At the age of twenty-one, he's in Catch-22, all right! 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 seventeen how was he to know That at the age of twenty-one 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 'cause Dad knew best to do right by his son And now he hates and counts the dates That mark time on square one At the age of seventeen he did as he was told Now at the age of twenty-one 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 seventeen you fall in line too soon Then at the age of twenty-one you'll still march to their tune Hup, two, three, four Hup, two, three, four Hup, two, three, four Hup, two, three, four Tin soldiers, you signed away your name Tin soldiers, no chance for cash or fame Tin soldiers, now you know the truth Tin soldiers, you sign away your youth Tin soldiers, you go and join the queue Tin soldiers, do what they want you to Tin soldiers, they take away your name Tin soldiers, they treat you all the same Sign away your life Sign away your life