Soldier

Hanson's song "Soldier" tells a poignant and imaginative story about a one-legged tin soldier and his journey through loneliness, love, and eventual unity. The narrative begins in a toy room where a boy, overwhelmed by his many toys, cherishes his tin soldiers, especially the one with a missing leg. This soldier, despite his physical imperfection, holds a special place in the boy's heart. At night, the toys come to life, and the soldier shares a silent, unspoken bond with a ballerina who has a heart of gold. Their mutual shyness prevents them from expressing their love, adding a layer of emotional depth to their relationship.

The story takes a dramatic turn when the boy places the soldier on a windowsill, and a gust of wind sends him tumbling into the street. The local boys, seeing no value in a one-legged soldier, set him adrift on a makeshift boat. This part of the song highlights themes of rejection and the search for belonging. The soldier's journey is fraught with challenges, including being swallowed by a fish and eventually being sold back to the boy's family. Despite these hardships, the soldier's resilience shines through.

The climax of the song occurs when the soldier, now reunited with the ballerina, faces a life-threatening situation. As they dance together, they fall into a fire, and their bases melt, fusing them into one. This act of self-sacrifice and unity symbolizes their eternal bond. The song concludes with the boy playing with his toys, now including the fused soldier and ballerina, who are no longer lonely. Hanson uses this touching story to explore themes of love, sacrifice, and the quest for companionship, making "Soldier" a deeply moving and thought-provoking song.