Fifty Years On

INTRO: verse 1 He was first one out of the landing craft When the ramp hit the churning sand He was first one out of the red-cross train To the sound of the big brass band He was first in line for his demob suit When the war he'd fought was won Then he settled down, rebuilt his town Thought his job was done Fifty years on, fifty years on He's grown too old, his house is sold And all his money's gone Like him, it's thrown to the nursing home Fifty years on verse 2 She ferried fighters through the sky She flew the big ones too There was no job the air force had She felt she couldn't do From dawn she'd toil with plug and coil Her scent was oily rag Her mad days and her salad days Given to the flag Fifty years on, fifty years on Her face is bruised, she's been abused And all her spirit's gone He was just a child, but the kids are wild Fifty years on BRIDGE Fifty years on, fifty years gone And they've lost a war they could have sworn they'd won Fifty years on, fifty years gone And the kids say please to the Japanese, can we work for the new Nippon Fifty years on verse 3 Yes, the kids are wild and on the street Fifty years on But the courts are mild when they mug and beat Fifty years on They were youngsters then, they were boys not men Girls who grew too fast They were our front line, now it's me and mine And the old ones come last Fifty years on, fifty years on They're fighting still, they always will But with so many gone They stand with pride, but someone lied Fifty years on BRIDGE Fifty years on, fifty years gone And they've lost a war they could have sworn they'd won Fifty years on, fifty years gone And the kids say please to the Japanese, can we work for the new Nippon Fifty years on, time's passed Fifty years on, they're last Fifty years on