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 didnt come here for forgiveness
There isnt a lot they can say
Cause I remember the reasons he first ran away
Hes a rebel
Just a rebel
Got his back to the wall
Gonna fight til he falls
Hes a rebel
Dont ever look back - dont surrender
The old men say theyve seen it before
Oh they drink their beer and they talk about friends
Who didnt come back from the war
Dont say hes too young to remember
Dont tell him whats wrong or whats right
Just give him a chance to get out there and fight
Hes a rebel
Just a rebel
All the battles are won
But hes still on the run
Hes a rebel
When it comes time for leavin
Dont stand in my way
Theres 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
Theres a new coat of paint on the front garden gate
But theres 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
Hes a rebel