[Verse 1]
It was on a Friday evening and nobody 'round
I was sitting by my window watching the sun go down
My baby came up to me saying, "Daddy I got news for you
I have been recruited and there ain't nothing that you can do"

[Verse 2]
"'Cause I can 't stand sitting 'round this crazy town no more
Not since the little baby shot dead down on the second floor
And what about the poor old lady crippled in a police raid
They told me if I get killed in battle I still get paid, I get paid"

[Chorus]
And when the train pulled out next morning
I just stood and waived bye bye
My baby joined the army and wasn't nothing I could do but cry
So I cried

[Verse 3]
Well there was a time and there was a dance that I used to do
There was a dream that was working and I had other plans for you
His family and his pride is all a man like me has left
Better watch your back, take care of yourself

[Chorus]
And when the train pulled out that morning
No precious child was left behind, no
'Cause my baby joined the army
There wasn't nothing I could, nothing I could do but cry
So I cried
[Outro]
Some day people we'll look back and say
That was a time when peace didn't declare
But I won't be around watching the sun go down