It Ain't 1918
Sparks Lyrics

Johnny was a soldier with the Allies
Johnny fought in the war alongside the Allied forces.

Johnny was a soldier all the way
Johnny was committed to his role as a soldier.

Johnny was a soldier with a fun side
Johnny had a playful personality in addition to his military duties.

Johnny liked to laugh a lot each day
Johnny had a good sense of humor and enjoyed laughter every day.

Johnny met a girl who was a beauty
Johnny fell in love with a beautiful woman.

Johnny never thought to live in sin
Johnny wanted to live a moral and upright life with his partner.

"Do you take this girl?"
The question asked during Johnny's marriage ceremony.

"Yes I take this girl"
Johnny's response to the marriage question, indicating his commitment to his bride.

Johnny had a next of kin
Johnny had a family member designated to inherit his possessions if he died.

They were happy as they were
Johnny and his wife were content with their simple life.

So everything around would change
The world around them was rapidly evolving and modernizing.

But they would never, ever change
Despite external changes, Johnny and his wife remained firmly committed to their simple lifestyle.

It ain't 1918 except for these two-it ain't 1918...
Even though the world was changing, the couple refused to change and embrace modernity.

Everybody in Missouri knows them
Johnny and his wife were well-known figures in their community.

Everybody there has seen their car
The couple had a distinct car that was known throughout Missouri.

Everybody seen their Stanley Steamer
The couple owned a popular model of car called a Stanley Steamer.

Wave as you see Johnny drive to market
People in Missouri would greet Johnny as he went to the market in his car.

Watch a bit of past go steaming by
Johnny's car represented a bygone era, and people would watch it with awe.

Johnny and his bride
The happy couple.

Johnny and his car
Johnny's prized possession, his Stanley Steamer.

without a change of any kind
Neither Johnny nor his car had undergone any modern changes.

Many people in St. Lou are wealthy
St. Louis is home to many rich individuals.

A lady by the name of Miller is
A wealthy woman named Miller was among the wealthy citizens of St. Louis.

Wouldn't it be nice to help out Johnny
Miller and others considered helping Johnny financially.

Kinda play a real life Santa Claus
Miller and others saw their potential contribution as a generous holiday gesture.

She and many other St. Lou people
Miller and others in St. Louis wanted to make a contribution.

Bought ol' Johnny quite a fancy car
Miller and her fellow St. Louisans bought Johnny a modern car.

And a modern home
The generous donation included a new house for Johnny and his wife.

Threw away his comb
Johnny was gifted fashionable items to replace his older belongings.

Bought his wife a Paris scarf
Johnny's wife received a luxurious new accessory from the St. Louis donors.

Johnny thanked the St. Lou folk
Johnny expressed appreciation to the donors from St. Louis.

But told them in a voice so sad
Despite his gratitude, Johnny expressed a melancholy tone.

That he would rather stay as is
Johnny preferred his simple, natural way of living even if it meant shirking modernization.

The people of St. Lou were mad, and they said
The donors from St. Louis were angry at Johnny's refusal to accept their generous donation.

It ain't 1918 for us or for you
The donors were frustrated at Johnny's rejection of modernity.

If we can't enjoy it...
The donors were upset that Johnny wasn't willing to join the rest of the modern world.

Then neither will you
The donors cut off Johnny and decided he would not be receiving their help.