Thirty Year Man

I knew when I enlisted, military life existed
For they break ya down, destroy you by degrees
But than any kind of living would be just as unforgiving
For the outside, like the inside, ain't no breeze

And though you give up your ambition
You do so on one condition
That some other bastard has to make the plan
Oh, it's the same old G.I story
You don't sell your soul for glory
But for freedom to leave thinking to the man

I wanted out from being poorer than poor
From Kentucky where I knew I couldn't win
I wanted out
And the only light I saw was the army and I knew I wanted in

Thirty year man
Thirty year man
Thirty year man

We're told the war is coming, the bombs will soon be humming
This paradise will soon be up the creek
So get your shit together, hurry
But I say there ain't no worry
I got thirty years, so what's another week?

Oh, this is white trash, I'll be waiting
Be no problem contemplating
Different people marching to the same old drum
Jews, Italians, Hispanics, Polaks, Negro's, no one panics
I got thirty years, I'll take them as they come

One thing I want (one thing I want)
And shall see me alright
There's a shack up waiting on the edge of town
I want her now (I want her now)
But I'll settle for tonight, golden body and the soft is going down

Thirty year man
Thirty year man
Thirty year man

So the army's my family, it feeds me
Keeps me well
And the life outside was sure a living hell
So give me my order, sergeant, just don't give me a plan
You've got your volunteer, Robert E. Lee Prewitt
I'm your man

Thirty year man, thirty year man
Thirty year man, thirty year man

There's no one out there that I miss
No one cares if I exist
Best thing I did was enlist for thirty years