(G) You can go to war when your 18
But, (C) you can't buy a beer
(G) You can launch missles from a submarine
But, you (A) can't buy a pistol, (D) here
You can (G) breathe chemical weapon fumes
But, (C) they don't want you to smoke
So, when you're (G) shootin' up a car in Baghdad
Don't (D) order a Rum & (G) Coke
(G) You can have sex when you're 17
You just (C) can't have a cigarette
You ain't (G) old enough for a slot-machine
Or to (A) lay down a football (D) bet
But, they'll (G) take you at the clinic when you're 15
And your (C) folks don't have to know
Or you can (G) take Penicillin
Just don't watch people gettin' (D) naked on vide(G)o
(C) You can be governor at at 21
Or a (G) president at 35
You can be the senator from South Carolina
If (A) you can just stay al(D)ive
They'll (G) throw you in with sharks when your 12 years old
And (C) teach you to scubadive
But, when you're (G) 94, and can't see anymore more
(D) They'll still let you (G) drive
Just (C) don't get caught with no beer in your hand
If (G) you just turned 18
They don't mind you ownin' a big old torch
And a (A) gallon of gasol(D)ine
You just (G) can't buy smokes at the liquor store
Or (C) ya'll will both go to jail
But, they'll (G) sell you the rope
So you can hang yourself
While you're (D) listenin' to Nine Inch (D) Nails
It's a (G) sorry world
It's a sorry world
It's a sorry world when (C) you can raise youngens
But, you (D) can't smoke a Marlbor(G)o
It's a (G) sorry world
It's a sorry world
It's a sorry world when you're (C) 17
But, you (D) can't call a call-girl (G)