Soldier

When they first came to your school cafeteria
Setting up tables and folding chairs
While all around you the children sat squawking
You were impatient to see what they had to share

You were impressed by their pamphlets tri-folded
With bullet point lists of the ways you could go
Offering you chances to be part of legends
You never thought you would be able to

Soldier, Soldier

Your grandpa died from a German man’s courage
to do what he thought was right
Downward he fell towards the mud like an extra
In the background of a movie set

You packed your bags gave a kiss to your mother
And walked out the door with the world on your shoulders
You traded your hands for grenades and machine guns
And boy you sang your battle cry so low

Momma, momma can’t you see
What the army’s done to me

I used to date a beauty queen
Now I hug my M-16

Momma, momma, can't you see
they made a soldier out of me

Soldier, Soldier

I know there are forms waiting at the post office
Neatly arranged in a bin labeled draft forms
And as I walk by them they scream and they’re snarling
Threatening to take the man I love away