Compulsory Hero

Remember the times when we were kids
Playing war games in your yard
Everybody had to be a hero
And get one in the heart
Night would fall and we'd call a truce
And all go home

Years went by, we were average guys
Playing life by a rule of thumb
'Til a man came on the TV
Talking 'bout war like we wanted one
He said, "Everybody line up, backs to the wall
'Til your number's called"

You've gotta go and be a hero
They've got a new game for all you boys
It's war without a choice
Compulsory hero
Just try and make it home

Grandpa heard the call to arms
For the war to end all wars
And your dad went off to do his bit
When they had to go one more
But you, you've got no say in it
You've gotta fight and that's the law

You've gotta go and be a hero
They made a law that you had to go and fight
One more crazy war
Compulsory hero
Just try and make it home

So all the had-to-be heroes
Went off to do their chores
None of them really would have known
How far a bloody war goes
They're dying to make it home

When I think back on all those times
Playing war games in your yard
Everybody had to be a hero
Back then, that wasn't hard
Night would fall on the battle zone
And we could all go home (all go home)

You had to go and be a hero
They made a law that you had to go and fight
One more crazy war
Compulsory hero
Just try and make it home
Just try and make it home
Oh, but whose gonna make it home