WHEN IT’S 12 TO 21 LIFE HAS JUST BEGUN
YOUR PART OF THE UNRESPECTED AGE
TO TRY TO MAKE IT ON YOUR OWN IS DISCOURAGED BY THE OLD
UNTILYOUNG IDEAS ARE DISTORTED AND DECAYED
WHY TEENS TO FIGHT WORLD WARS
WHY NOT KEEP THE LAWS ENFORCED
AND ARREST THOSE WHO ADVERTISE
FOR LEGAL MURDERS ARMY-TIZED
FOR THEY ARE THE DRAFT
THAT SENDS CHILLS UPYOUR BACK
JUST WHEN LIFE HAS BEGONE
WHEN IT’S 12 TO 21
WELL IT’S COMMONLY THOUGHT BYALLWHO HAVE SOUGHT
TO RESTORE THEIR HEALTH BY STAND’IN THE COUNTY LINE
THAT ONLY THE RICH CAN PAY THE COST OF MEDICINE TODAY
OR LITTLE BIT OF A DOCTOR’S TIME
ALL THAT’S AVAILABLE TO MAN
SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH OUT THE LANDS
LEAVING NO REASON FOR WAR
MINORS IN DESPAIR CAN’T GET MEDICARE
THERE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO SIGN FOR THEIR SORES
THERE ARE THINGS ABOUT BEING YOUNG
THAT MAKES GROWING OLD KIND OF FUN
LIKE GUNS, CIGARETTES, HOT RODS, AND BEER
BUT MOST OF THEM FAIL TO HOLD INTEREST APPEAL
AND END UP ONLY AS REGRET
YOU CAN’T BELIEVE ALL YOU HEAR
WHAT YOU SEE AIN’T ALWAYS CLEAR
ALLARE TANTALIZED BY PROFIT SEEKER’S DIRTY LIES
TO LIVE LIFE WITHOUT A CARE
IS ENCOURAGED EVER WHERE
JUST WHEN LIFE HAS BEGONE
WHEN IT’S 12 TO 21
Copyright 1980 Music, Lyrics, and Script from “ROCK, A MUSICAL EXPERIENCE”