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