They stuck him in the army

And they told him where to stand

What a rigid occupation

For the ordinary man



He stood outside the factory gate

With his papers in his hand

What a shameful termination

Of the ordinary man



The army of the lord came down

Put a weapon in his hand

What a mean manipulation

Of the ordinary man



Politics will seal his fate

And money lend a hand

But there's no emancipation

For the ordinary man



First a kiss upon the cheek

Then silver changing hands

What a sorry condemnation

For the ordinary man



Within the prison walls he waits

A government's command

What a cruel incarceration

Of the ordinary man



He played until the ship went down

'Cause he was in the band

What a final designation

For the ordinary man