A long day of speeches, hearings, and post-hearing drinking has left me exhausted, but never fear, Friday Music Blogging fan(s), I won’t let you down.
This band, Against Me!, is huge in the punk/emo/whatever scene. Normally I stay far away from that particular genre, but there are rare occasions (see: Fugazi) when a band in that neighborhood tickles an itch. I’ve grown fond of Against Me!’s latest album, New Wave. Unlike most of the whiny white suburban nobody-understands-me unearned angst you hear from bands in this genre, it is fairly literate and highly political. Also it rocks pretty damn hard. Makes me feel like a disaffected teenager again!
This song, “White People for Peace,” is pleasingly ambiguous, both a celebration of protest and a lament at its futility. The lyrics are below.
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“White People for Peace,” by Against Me!
East and West could not agree
So their generals gave a call and gathered troops at the border
With guns ready, drawn and aimed
Each side was praying to a god
to bless them with strength and courage
It was in his name that artillery lit the sky on fire
The people sang protest songs to try and stop the soldier’s gun
Protest songs in a response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier’s gun
But the battle raged on …
Sirens filled the air and the ground shook with war
Civilian casualties had been a cost that was predetermined
When interviewed for report, victims pleaded in frustration
Their claim: That this was a war without reason
Bureaucrats engaged in debate to try and reach a resolution
The people sang protest songs to try and stop the soldier’s gun
Protest songs in a response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier’s gun
But the battle raged on …
The broadcast, like their prayers, went unanswered and ignored
God, like the rest of the world, just watched in silence
There was purpose to be served, there were fortunes to be earned
before a peace could be called to stop the fighting
Protest songs in a response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier’s gun
But the battle raged on …
