Compulsory Hero
1927 Lyrics


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Remember the times when we were kids
Playing war games in your yard
Everybody had to be a hero
and get one in the heart
Night would fall and we'd call a truce
And all go home

Years went by we were average guys
playing life by the rule of thumb
Till a man came on the TV
Talking 'bout war like he wanted one
He said "Everybody put your backs to the wall
till your numbers called"

You've gotta go and be a hero
I've got a new game for all you boys
Its war without a choice
Compulsory hero
Just try and make it home

Grandpa heard the call to all
For a war to end all wars
And your dad went off to do his bit
and he had to go one more
You've really got no say in it
You have to fight
And thats the law

You've gotta go and be a hero
They made a law you had to go fight
One more crazy war
Compulsory hero
Just try and make it home

So all that had to be heroes
Went off to do their chores
None of them really wouldn't of known
How far a bloody war goes
they're dying to make it home

Then I think back on all those times
Playing war games in your yard
Everybody had to be a hero
Back then that wasn't hard
Night would fall on the battle zone
And we could all go home

You had to go and be a hero
They made a law that you had to go and fight
One more crazy war
compulsory hero
Just try and make it home




Just try and make it home
But whose gonna make it home

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of 1927’s song Compulsory Hero reflect on the effects of compulsory military service on young men. The song begins by recounting the playful times of childhood when children would play games that simulated war. These games always included someone who was hailed as a hero; someone who was brave enough to risk “getting one in the heart”. However, as time goes by, these boys become average men who live their lives by the thumb rule. Suddenly, they come across a man on television talking about war, and he seems to be encouraging it. He tells them to put their backs to the wall until they are called upon. Then, the government introduces a law that makes military service compulsory, thus turning these boys into heroes without giving them a choice.


The song proceeds to highlight that the military service obligation has been passed down generations, from grandfathers to fathers, and now to the younger generation who also have to fight a new war.  The song emphasizes that despite the passing of time, and the advancement of civilization, compulsory military service and wars continue to change from one generation to another, taking away life-changing opportunities from young men. The lyrics, with lines like "Compulsory hero just try and make it home", expose the struggles, dangers and tragedies that the young men face when forced to leave their families and countries to go to war zones.


Line by Line Meaning

Remember the times when we were kids
We should recall the early days of our lives


Playing war games in your yard
When we played simulated fighting matches in backyards


Everybody had to be a hero
Each player desired to come out on top


And get one in the heart
And earn respect as a fighter


Night would fall and we'd call a truce
We would eventually stop pretend fighting


And all go home
And return to our homes


Years went by we were average guys
As time passed, we became ordinary individuals


playing life by the rule of thumb
living without taking unthoughtful risks


Till a man came on the TV
Until a man came on the television


Talking 'bout war like he wanted one
Speaking of conflict as if he was eager for it


He said 'Everybody put your backs to the wall
He proclaimed 'everyone prepare for a desperate resistance


till your numbers called'
Until the point that the draft system selects you


You've gotta go and be a hero
You need to become a hero


I've got a new game for all you boys
I have a new game for all young men


Its war without a choice
It is conflict without any alternatives


Compulsory hero
You are obligated to be a hero


Just try and make it home
Just attempt to stay alive and return to your family


Grandpa heard the call to all
Grandfather responded to the call for everyone


For a war to end all wars
To help in ending all wars


And your dad went off to do his bit
And your father left to perform his duty


and he had to go one more
And he had to do more


You've really got no say in it
You have no say in the matter


You have to fight
You are required to participate in the fighting


And thats the law
And that is the rule


So all that had to be heroes
Every individual that had to become heroes


Went off to do their chores
Left to undertake their tasks


None of them really wouldn't of known
None of them realized


How far a bloody war goes
The immense consequences of intense warfare


they're dying to make it home
They are risking their lives to return home


Then I think back on all those times
At present, I reminisce about those moments


Playing war games in your yard
When we played simulated fighting matches in backyards


Everybody had to be a hero
Each player desired to come out on top


Back then that wasn't hard
At that time, it was not a difficult achievement


Night would fall on the battle zone
The battle area would come to a close in the evening


And we could all go home
And all players could leave the battleground


You had to go and be a hero
You needed to become a hero


They made a law that you had to go fight
They enforced a rule that you must partake in conflict


One more crazy war
One more insane war


Just try and make it home
Just attempt to stay alive and return to your family


Just try and make it home
Just attempt to stay alive and return to your family


But whose gonna make it home
But who will achieve success in surviving and returning home




Contributed by Charlotte J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

The Teacher

Remember the times when we were kids
Playing war games in your yard
Everybody had to be a hero
And get one in the heart
Night would fall and we'd call a truce
And all go home

Years went by we were average guys
Playing life by the rule of thumb
Till a man came on the tv
Talking 'bout war like he wanted one
He said "Everybody put your backs to the wall
Till your numbers called"

You've gotta go and be a hero
I've got a new game for all you boys
Its war without a choice
Compulsory hero
Just try and make it home

Grandpa heard the call to all
For a war to end all wars
And your dad went off to do his bit
And he had to go one more
You've really got no say in it
You have to fight
And that's the law

You've gotta go and be a hero
They made a law you had to go fight
One more crazy war
Compulsory hero
Just try and make it home

So all that had to be heroes
Went off to do their chores
None of them really wouldn't of known
How far a bloody war goes
They're dying to make it home

Then I think back on all those times
Playing war games in your yard
Everybody had to be a hero
Back then that wasn't hard
Night would fall on the battle zone
And we could all go home

You had to go and be a hero
They made a law that you had to go and fight
One more crazy war
Compulsory hero
Just try and make it home
Just try and make it home
But whose gonna make it home



All comments from YouTube:

Sean Handsaker

One of the best written songs by the most underrated Aussie bands. The album ISH simply brilliant...

sexobscura

Underrated bands hardly have Number One albums and hit singles

Redtrinity 777

Saw them play this live on stage yesterday arvo in Surfers Paradise, it gave me goosebumps. Easily thousands of people there and everyone was dead silent as this was sung, with a massive ovation at the end. Absolutely iconic. I grew up with 1927 and they will always be my fave Aussie rock band <3

Tiger Tough

@Redtrinity 777 well played

Redtrinity 777

@Tiger Tough yeah, I know.... check out the "PS" bit of my last comment made to him lol 😊 I know what he was trying to do, but he failed miserably at it 😂

Tiger Tough

@Redtrinity 777 its a troll .. Ian Moss was lead guitarist for Cold Chisel .. not this fake

Peter Petrou

I always get goose bumps watching this video also. Very sad :(

Redtrinity 777

@Ian Moss yeah, thanks but no thanks. I don't do "surprises" from complete strangers. Good luck with your other victims, though. Have a nice day 😊

PS. If you're attempting to impersonate the Aussie rock singer Ian Moss, you've spelt his name wrong. His middle name is Richard, not "Rechard" 😉

9 More Replies...

noel murphy

Regards to all u Aussies over there. Greetings from an Irish 1927 fan. Stay safe and classy 👌🇮🇪

Tiger Tough

Onya Murph 🍻 🇦🇺 🇮🇪

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