They called his name when he was 18
He couldn't wait to go
He knew that there was glory waiting, he knew all there was to know
So when they called his name he joined the line
Turned into a number, got tickets for the show
Eyes front join the line he signed his name, faded into khaki
Got seats in the front row
He knew it would be high adventure, a big pub brawl in the sun
He'd come home to a heroes welcome, he knew the time would come
But then three days forced march later through the debris of hell,
all his preconceptions blown away into nightmare
Wasted numbers
So when they called his name he joined the line to do his bit for king & country,
took the shilling, sang the songs, took the tin hat and showered spirit
Got seats in the front row