he joined up to get a job and show he wasn t scared swapped boy scout hat for army cap he d finally be prepared at the age of 17 he was forced to choose at the age of 21 he s in catch 22 hey 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 and now he hates and counts the dates that mark time on square one at the age of 17 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 then at the age of 21 you ll still march to their tune hup two three four hup two three four hup two three four tin soldiers you sign 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