He made his way back to the old town

And everything looked just the same

The shops and the schools and the factories were there

But somehow the faces had changed



So he went for a walk in the high street

Took his coat off and rolled up his sleeves

He thought of his father and his father before him

And how he was the first one to leave



Well he didn't come here for forgiveness

There isn't a lot they can say

Cause I remember the reasons he first ran away



He's a rebel

Just a rebel

Got his back to the wall

Gonna fight 'til he falls

He's a rebel



Don't ever look back - don't surrender

The old men say they've seen it before

Oh they drink their beer and they talk about friends

Who didn't come back from the war



Don't say he's too young to remember

Don't tell him what's wrong or what's right

Just give him a chance to get out there and fight



He's a rebel

Just a rebel

All the battles are won

But he's still on the run

He's a rebel



When it comes time for leavin'

Don't stand in my way

There's nothin' left for me here

Gonna run, run away



In the morning he walks past the old house

In the rain under grey northern sky

There's a new coat of paint on the front garden gate

But there's more there than first meets the eye



For a moment he stands undecided

Looking back on the days of his youth

As two worlds collide in a moment of truth



He's a rebel