He made his way back to the old town
And everything looked just the same
The shops and the schools and the factories were there
But somehow the faces had changedSo he went for a walk in the high street
Took his coat off and rolled up his sleeves
He thought of his father and his father before him
And how he was the first one to leaveWell, he didn't come here for forgiveness
There isn't a lot they can say
'Cause I remember the reasons he first ran awayHe's a rebel, just a rebel
Got his back to the wall
Gonna fight 'til he falls
He's a rebelDon't ever look back, don't surrender
The old men say they've seen it before
Oh, they drink their beer and they talk about friends
Who didn't come back from the warDon't say he's too young to remember
Don't tell him what's wrong or what's right
Just give him a chance to get out there and fightHe's a rebel, just a rebel
All the battles are won
But he's still on the run
He's a rebelWhen it comes time for leavin'
Don't stand in my way
There's nothin' left for me here
Gonna run, run awayIn the morning he walks past the old house
In the rain under gray northern sky
There's a new coat of paint on the front garden gate
But there's more there than first meets the eyeFor a moment he stands undecided
Looking back on the days of his youth
As two worlds collide in a moment of truthHe's a rebel