Los Soldaditos
Tabare Etcheverry
The Little Soldiers
When I was a kid, I had little soldiers
Lead soldiers, all just alike
Some on horseback - others crouched down
Some with rifles, always standing tall.
And I fought battles without guns or sticks
No sound of gunfire, no good guys or bad
They were all obedient, each in their place
If one broke, I had a spare.
And it was the heads that always got lost
Poor little soldiers with empty souls
Then I grew up, traveled many roads
So much to walk to find a fate.
And the hopes and the dreams
The lost dreams that never come true.
But my soldiers have grown up too
They loaded their weapons, and now they’re empty.
And they’ve spread out across many lands
Leaving no one with happy memories.
And they’ve even reached the highest ranks
If one gets taken out, there’s always a backup
That’s why I can’t see them with affection
With these soldiers, kids don’t dream.
No, my general - no, my colonel
Kids don’t dream - they don’t dream of him.
No, general - no, colonel
My kids don’t dream
They don’t dream - how nice...
