Last Soldier
Pearl Jam Lyrics


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My numbers up
My time has come
Sounds like they're playing my song
On the altar
My picture
Will be there while im gone
There'll be time for laughing
There is no time to cry
Soon I will be leaving
Look me in the eye
No matter what's in front of me
It's your face that I'll see
And the future of our young one
And this is what fuels me
There's no time for laughing
There's no time to cry
Soon I will be leaving
Look me in the eye
The oath I took
Not so seriously
The worlds gathered steam
And caught up with me
And my decisions been made
Some other place
By someone I don't know
And they don't know me
This is no time for laughing
There's no time to cry




Soon I will be leaving
Look me in the eye

Overall Meaning

The song, "Last Soldier," by Pearl Jam is a reflective song about a soldier who knows his time has come to an end. The lyrics start with the soldier realizing that his time is up and that they will soon be playing his song. The song being played at the altar is a tribute to the soldier, who has made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. The soldier knows that when he is gone, his picture will be present at his funeral, and this picture will be the only symbol of his existence.


The lyrics then reflect how the soldier thinks about his family, particularly his children. He knows that while he will be leaving soon, his children's future is what fuels him, and it's their faces that he'll see no matter what's in front of him. The soldier also reflects on the fact that he took his oath seriously, but the world caught up with him, and he had to make a decision that ultimately led him to where he is. The soldier knows that it's no time for laughing and no time to cry; he must keep a straight face and look people in the eye.


The song's lyrics are poignant as they reflect the thoughts and feelings of a soldier who knows he is going to die soon. It shows the soldier's bravery and his love for his family and his country. The song is a tribute to all the soldiers who have lost their lives in service to their country, and it explores the idea of sacrifice.


Line by Line Meaning

My numbers up
I have run out of time


My time has come
It is now the moment for me to go


Sounds like they're playing my song
It feels like everything was leading to this moment


On the altar
In a place of honor and sacrifice


My picture
A representation of me will remain


Will be there while im gone
As a reminder of what once was


There'll be time for laughing
There were good times to be remembered


There is no time to cry
But dwelling on them won't help now


Soon I will be leaving
I am about to depart


Look me in the eye
Take a moment to acknowledge our connection


No matter what's in front of me
Despite what I am about to face


It's your face that I'll see
Your memory is what will keep me going


And the future of our young one
And the hope of generations to come


And this is what fuels me
And the thought of making a better world for them


The oath I took
The promise I made


Not so seriously
But now it seems more significant than ever


The worlds gathered steam
Events have been building momentum


And caught up with me
And I am now swept up in their wake


And my decisions been made
And now there is no turning back


Some other place
To a place unknown


By someone I don't know
To be judged by strangers


And they don't know me
Who have no personal investment in me


This is no time for laughing
This is a serious moment


There's no time to cry
And an emotional response won't do any good


Soon I will be leaving
I am running out of time


Look me in the eye
Take this moment to connect




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

@jakecox1850

my number's up, my time has come
sounds like they're playin' my song
on the altar, my picture...
will be there while i'm gone
there'll be time for laughin'
there's no time to cry
soon i will be leavin'
look me in the eye
no matter what's in front of me
it's your face that i'll see
and the future of our young ones
yeah this is what fuels me
there's no time for laughin'
there's no time to cry
soon i will be leavin'
look me in the eye
the oath i took not so seriously
the world's gathered steam and caught up with me
and my decision's been made, from some other place
by someone i don't know and they don't know me
this is no time for laughin'
there's no time to cry
soon i will be leavin'
look me in the eye



All comments from YouTube:

@jordn6971

One of my favorite Pearl Jam songs..... and most people will never hear it.

@nicklay7893

Every time i thought I've heard every good pearl jam song...

@liamgallager123

I heard this song a while and spent much time looking, is a lost gem.

@Mrsilenciobackgammon

Talk about a Lost Dog, this is a real Great Dane. I love it.

@laurawatters914

WOW I've never heard this song before that I can remember, love when Eddie playing the harmonica. I ❤️ Pearl Jam!! 😊💓🤘✌️

@bibbinsbird

This was before my Ten Club days...so thanks for posting :o)

@luigigiorgi6240

miracolo. che pezzo meraviglioso

@migueljam

Esta canción de Pearl Jam es muy buena, sin duda, uno de los mejores lados B de esta banda!

@grundisgrok

yes this is a PJ original, written by Mike McCready, it's not on any albums or anything, just a live recording... I believe it was played twice ever... it's very good.

@felipemacedo66

i'd love a recorded version.

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