INTRO: Am
verse 1
He was first one out of the landing craft
G Am
When the ramp hit the churning sand
He was first one out of the red-cross train
G
To the sound of the big brass band
C G
He was first in line for his demob suit
Am Em
When the war he'd fought was won
Am
Then he settled down, rebuilt his town
G Am
Thought his job was done
G Am
Fifty years on, fifty years on
G
He's grown too old, his house is sold
C E
And all his money's gone
Am G
Like him, it's thrown to the nursing home
Am
Fifty years on
verse 2
She ferried fighters through the sky
G Am
She flew the big ones too
There was no job the air force had
G
She felt she couldn't do
C G
From dawn she'd toil with plug and coil
Am Em
Her scent was oily rag
Am
Her mad days and her salad days
G Am
Given to the flag
G Am
Fifty years on, fifty years on
G
Her face is bruised, she's been abused
C E
And all her spirit's gone
Am G
He was just a child, but the kids are wild
Am
Fifty years on
BRIDGE
G Am
Fifty years on, fifty years gone
F C E
And they've lost a war they could have sworn they'd won
G Am
Fifty years on, fifty years gone
F C E
And the kids say please to the Japanese, can we work for the new Nippon
Am
Fifty years on
verse 3
Yes, the kids are wild and on the street
G Am
Fifty years on
But the courts are mild when they mug and beat
G
Fifty years on
C G
They were youngsters then, they were boys not men
Am Em
Girls who grew too fast
Am
They were our front line, now it's me and mine
G Am
And the old ones come last
G Am
Fifty years on, fifty years on
G
They're fighting still, they always will
C E
But with so many gone
Am G
They stand with pride, but someone lied
Am
Fifty years on
BRIDGE
G Am
Fifty years on, fifty years gone
F C E
And they've lost a war they could have sworn they'd won
G Am
Fifty years on, fifty years gone
F C E
And the kids say please to the Japanese, can we work for the new Nippon
Am G
Fifty years on, time's passed
Am G
Fifty years on, they're last
Am
Fifty years on