He joined up to get a job, to show he wasn't scared
All wrapped up in that army crowd, he thought he'd be prepared
Well at the age of seventeen, he was forced to choose
Now at the age of twenty-one, he's in Catch 22 GO!

He joined up for just three years, it seemed a small amount
But what they didn't tell him was 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 more to go?

Tin soldier!
He signed away his name
Tin soldier!
No chance of cash or fame.
Tin soldier!
Well now he knows the truth!
Tin soldier!
He signed away his youth

He joined up 'cause dad knew right, to do right by his son
Well now he hates and he counts the days that mark time on square one
At the age of seventeen he did what he was told
Now at the age of twenty-one, tin still won't turn to gold!

About Face To the left, right, left right left, To the left, left, left right left...
He thought the age of seventeen he'd fall in line too soon
Now at the age of twenty-one he still marches two by two
One-two-three-four
One-two-three-four One-two-three-four ONE-TWO-THREE-GO!
What is he fighting for?
A fucking war?
Tin soldier! Tin soldier!