Little Boy Soldiers - The Jam

LITTLE BOY SOLDIERS — Paul Weller

Its funny how you never knew what my name was,

Our only contact was a form for the election.

These days I find that you don’t listen,

These days I find that we’re out of touch,

These days I find that I’m too busy,

So why the attention now you want my assistance —

what have you done for me?

You’ve gone and got yourself in trouble,

Now you want me to help you out.

These days I find that I can’t be bothered,

These days I find that its all too much,

To pick up a gun and shoot a stranger,

But I’ve got no choice so here I come — war games.

I’m up on the hills playing little boy soldiers,

Reconnaissance duty up at 5:30.

Shoot shoot shoot and kill the natives,

You’re one of us and we love you for that.

Think of honour, Queen and country.

You’re a blessed son of the British Empire,

God’s on our side and so is Washington.

Come out on the hills with the little boy soldiers.

Come on outside — I’ll sing you a lullabye,

And tell the tale of how goodness prevailed.

We ruled the world — we killed and robbed,

The fucking lot — but we don’t feel bad.

It was done beneathe the flag of democracy,

You’ll believe — and I do, yes I do — yes I do —

Yes I do —

These days I find that I can’t be bothered,

To argue with them — well, what’s the point?

Better to take your shots and drop down dead,

then they send you home in a pine overcoat.

With a letter to your mum

Saying 'find enclosed one son, one medal'- and a note to say he won.