Is everyone a soldier
When there's no end in sight
And the ones that do the running
Will exercise their right

To plead their case tomorrow
'Cause they must be moving on
So much for the front line

Run the marathon
Though half of them are gone
And the grass is always greener
The meaning just got meaner

They'll state their case tomorrow
The savings in their bonds
The map is just an outline
The quarters can't be drawn

Still every now and then I'm reminded that you
Could wave goodbye and then vanish from view
Essential services are counting on you

Ooh

Don't you dare surrender
Don't bother keeping score
The battle lines get blurry
When your world's at war
Just move to the horizon
The sun is in your eyes
That's one retired captain
Imparted words so wise

Still every now and then I'm reminded that you
Could wave goodbye and then vanish from view
Essential services are counting on you

Ooh
Counting on you, ooh

Imparting words so wise
We always kept our ties
And hanging up the medals
Our feet were on the pedals

Just move to the horizon
The sun it has your eyes
Retired's just a caption
I'll never justify

Still every now and then I'm reminded that you
Could wave goodbye and then vanish from view
Essential services are counting on you
Ooh
Counting on you, ooh
Ooh
Ooh