Join up and see the world, she said

"Join up and see the world," the recruiter said.
I looked at her gladly and she smiled at me,
I yearned to be the man she said I could be.
"Join up and see the world," the recruiter said.

"You'll learn a trade and expand your mind," she said.
I can cook jungle snake and dissect a human,
Where you see a strategy, I see plans ruined.
"You'll learn a trade and expand your mind," she said.

"We'll give you discipline and purpose," she told me.
I slaved through the day and rarely slept at night,
My life is a study on the application of might.
"We'll give you discipline and purpose," she told me.

"The world will respect you," is what she advised.
I'm labelled a criminal; a murderer and worse.
At the soup kitchen line, I'm stood there first.
"The world will respect you," is what she advised.

"You'll be part of a family," she warmly glowed.
I see the other veterans; once young, now so old.
We huddle together as we shelter from the cold.
"You'll be part of a family," she warmly glowed.

"Join up and see the world," the recruiter said.
I looked at her gladly and she smiled at me,
I yearned to be the man she said I could be.
"Join up and see the world," the recruiter said.