he joined up to get a job
and show he wasent scared
swapped boyscout hat for army cap
he thought he'd be prepared
at the age of seventeen 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 dident tell him
the first two dident count
at the age of seventeen how was he to know
that at the age of 21 he'd still have one to go
chorus tin soldiers
he signed away his name
tin soldiers
no chanch 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 seventeen he did as he was told
now at the age of 21 tin still wont turn to gold
[chorus]
at the age of seventeen you fall in line too soon
at the age of 21 your`ll still march to their tune
tin soldiers you sign away your name
no chanch for cash or fame
you never see the truth
you sign away your youth
you go and join the queue
do what they want youn to
they take away your name
they treat you all the same
sign away your life
---
Lyrics submitted by chris.