I am not sure if it is right, but to me, "one tin soldier" always referred to someone like Saint Peter who is supposed to grant entrance through the pearly gates. When the song states "But on the bloody morning after, / one tin soldier rides away" it means you are denied access. Judgment day came for you, but you were passed over and left behind (hence, him riding off alone.)
I do agree with Orph's interpretation of the tin man to a point, but I do not think it is referring to the people in the valley having no hearts. The chorus, although it fits the story too, was more aimed at the "children" the song is being sang for. Telling them, that if you choose to sin and do wrong regardless of your reasoning, come judgment day, you will be left behind. In its own way, it is a very anti-war song since it is saying feel free to kill another person just because you are doing it for religious reasons, however, it is still a sin and you will still pay for it in the end.
The reason I said I agree with Orph is because I think he used the term "tin soldier" as a euphemism to a suit of armor with no real soul or heart attached (like Wizard of Oz). On Judgment day, you will be judged for your actions and because of this, there is no excuse in the world that will save you if you have committed too many sins. The man guarding the gate is not going to let you list your excuses, he is merely there to look at what all sins you have committed and pass judgment without you really having the option to defend yourself. It is basically all black and white with no real gray area because there is no emotion in the the actual judgment (no heart).
I love this song and love the message that people should be good and moral at all times, however, it is a bit preachy if you look too deeply into it.
I am not sure if it is right, but to me, "one tin soldier" always referred to someone like Saint Peter who is supposed to grant entrance through the pearly gates. When the song states "But on the bloody morning after, / one tin soldier rides away" it means you are denied access. Judgment day came for you, but you were passed over and left behind (hence, him riding off alone.)
I do agree with Orph's interpretation of the tin man to a point, but I do not think it is referring to the people in the valley having no hearts. The chorus, although it fits the story too, was more aimed at the "children" the song is being sang for. Telling them, that if you choose to sin and do wrong regardless of your reasoning, come judgment day, you will be left behind. In its own way, it is a very anti-war song since it is saying feel free to kill another person just because you are doing it for religious reasons, however, it is still a sin and you will still pay for it in the end.
The reason I said I agree with Orph is because I think he used the term "tin soldier" as a euphemism to a suit of armor with no real soul or heart attached (like Wizard of Oz). On Judgment day, you will be judged for your actions and because of this, there is no excuse in the world that will save you if you have committed too many sins. The man guarding the gate is not going to let you list your excuses, he is merely there to look at what all sins you have committed and pass judgment without you really having the option to defend yourself. It is basically all black and white with no real gray area because there is no emotion in the the actual judgment (no heart).
I love this song and love the message that people should be good and moral at all times, however, it is a bit preachy if you look too deeply into it.