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 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
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