Soldier Boy
Soldier's Reflection: A Tale of Youth, War, and Finding Identity
Lyrics
Well I'm seeing Shawn on Thursday gotta catch ‘Em while he's hot
Expressing the urgency to meet Shawn on a specific day while acknowledging his deployment far away.
He's deployed half a country away so you'll find him where he's not
Highlighting the geographical distance of Shawn's deployment and the irony of finding him where he isn't.
Got tattoos so fresh the ink is warm just like the letters on my pages
Describing fresh tattoos, drawing a parallel between warm ink and heartfelt writings.
Cleaning out a chicken coop making hourly minimum wages
Doing menial work for minimum wage, possibly reflecting on mundane or unfulfilling jobs.
crmy boy's back in the city boy, mr infantry see ya in six months
Referencing the return of a friend, possibly from military service, and planning occasional meet-ups.
I'll buy ya a shot a whiskey once every one hundred n' sixty days and call it a friendship
Suggesting a sporadic meeting pattern due to the friend's military obligations, symbolizing a strained friendship.
Don't go to war cuz if there's anymore boys there I betcha we're gonna lose some
Expressing concerns about potential casualties in war, indicating the likelihood of losing people.
Gory, gory, what a hell of a way to die, They'll steal your fillings right outta your tooths, son
Referencing the harshness of war, including its gruesome outcomes and the dehumanizing nature of conflict.
No matter which way I turn it, and no matter where I been, My tempoary ID still tells me I'm nineteen
Reflecting on the persistence of feeling young despite legal adulthood indicated by an ID.
I can drink and smoke and you know I do, but I'm still not sure if it's right
Conflicted feelings about indulging in vices and uncertainty about their morality.
cnd I ponder the laws during my days and I ponder war straight through the night
Contemplating laws and the concept of war extensively, possibly grappling with moral dilemmas.
Mama, I'm an adult now, so I guess you know what that means
Acknowledging adulthood to the mother and hinting at newfound responsibilities.
Means I'm just so excited over a sheet that's got no tears at the seems
Expressing joy over an intact sheet, metaphorically signifying a sense of stability or relief.
I went to the high school that my boots done used to walk, to pick up my kid brother, and to a classmate I'd gotten to talk, He told me that his father, worked on a boat down in the waters of nova Scotia,
Recalling personal experiences, encounters, and socioeconomic disparities with acquaintances.
He's payed less than I am, and I work a farm shop in the day
Comparing wages with someone else, reflecting on the value of work and income.
cnd so I's was speakin' to a youngun boy who had a symbol sewn onto his jeans
Encountering symbols on clothing, highlighting generational differences and seeking understanding.
I asked him what they's for and he said, “you're the adult, you tell me!”
Asking for an explanation, hinting at the complexities of adult life and its uncertainties.
I got into the symphony orchestra and Jeff said well that's nice.
Receiving lukewarm acknowledgment for personal achievements, indicating a lack of enthusiasm from others.
My violin's collected dust on it, makes me wanna swallow a knife
Expressing disappointment in neglecting hobbies or passions due to life's circumstances.
Being older just means that propaganda works less than it used to
Commenting on the diminishing impact of propaganda with age.
But Damn, if you don't fight it, they'll program, exploit and abuse you!
Warning against succumbing to manipulation by higher authorities or systems.
I spend my money on drinks with friends and film for my cameras, soldiers gone for who knows how, cheers, I'll meet ya when we're dead together
Spending money on socializing and hobbies while reflecting on the absence of a friend due to military duty.
Shawn told me that I needed love and he hopes that I find it, I told him when push comes to shove, being alone I don't mind it
Discussing differing views on love and solitude between the speaker and Shawn.
His eyes gave a roll, as he punched my shoulder and compared me to Warhol
Shawn's comparison to Warhol, possibly in relation to being misunderstood or different.
I held back a smile cuz i'm pretty sure that it wasn't a compliment, he meant it as a gall
Interpreting Shawn's comment as possibly a backhanded compliment or a criticism.
cndy, I never met him but I see him in me too much for us to be strangers
Recognizing similarities with an unseen individual, suggesting a connection despite not meeting.
Don't lecture me on my silly habits cuz I already know my own dangers!
Rejecting advice on personal habits, implying self-awareness of the consequences.
Half-finished paintings and whole-hearted garbage, thats what I call my poems
Describing unfinished creative endeavors with a sense of self-criticism.
My money burns a hole in my pocket, and i'm reaping what I've sewn
Indicating frivolous spending habits and facing the consequences of one's actions.
I don't know the words to my very own songs, if I lose them then they're gone
Expressing uncertainty about personal creations and their potential loss.
Trying my best to stay afloat, but I can never do no wrong!
Asserting an attempt to do right while acknowledging human fallibility.
Mama, I'm an adult now, so I guess you know what that means
Reiterating the sense of adulthood and the anticipated joys of mundane achievements.
Means I'm just so excited for clean, ironed out jeans
Expressing excitement over small, mundane tasks like having clean, ironed jeans.
Mama, I'm an adult now, so I guess you know what I'm for
Reflecting on potential roles in adulthood, possibly including participation in war if required.
Means that if they gotta, they'll send me off to war!
Highlighting the possibility of being conscripted or sent off to war as a consequence of being an adult.
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