War Pigs

The song was actually changed after its initial release. If you haven't heard the original version it was title Walpurgis which is a Satanic ritual/celebration. After it was thought to be too Satanic in nature the band adjusted it. So despite the original meaning which is simply an interpretation of what the ritual looks like, I will stick to the updated interpretation of the song titled War Pigs.

While many people seem to think that this is a anti-Vietnam song as it was released around that same time frame, Black Sabbath is from Great Britain and it wasn't as pronounced of an event in their early days, which is confirmed by the members. It was simply an anti-war song and has been recounted with every war to come since the American troops invaded Indochina.

The first verse in the song compare politicians and generals that make up and lead wars as the real culprits behind all the evil doing that stems from war. It borrows from the original lyrics, "Just like witches at black masses." Since the witches represent an evil, Satanic ritual, these founders of war are similarly doing something Satanic. The plotting of their destruction turns into bodies burning and continues to fuel the "war machine." These wars bring nothing but pain and agony and it they are brought about through deceit and lies.

Most wars are constructed by many different factions and stem from different events which fall on the economy, cultural differences, humanitarian issues, as well as many others. The song tries to convey that everything that leads to a war starts at the root of evil. There shouldn't be any reason great enough to appeal to something that is in turn a simple definition of evil.

The second verse goes into how the politicians that start the wars just pin it down on the poor masses and there are different incentives which the lure the public into accepting these types of risks. If a poor fella wants to make something of himself all he needs to do is enlist. He will get the proper training that will turn him into a man. He will get a chance to do something useful with his life. He will be build up with his countries pride. He will have the opportunity to learn new skills and a shot to go to college. It's a seriously tempting position, and they will accept just about anyone and mold that individual. The veterans who do manage to successfully endure and finish their service or those who get out early due to honorable discharge for whatever reason will receive a lifetime of benefits. They may not be the best. However, medical care isn't always easy to come by.

The third verse goes into describing the carelessness of these horrible decisions. The frivolous attitude put towards the decision to actually engage in a full scale battle by our leaders is foreshadowed by the coming of their judgement day.

In the fourth verse the view of what could be construed as the ultimate demise from wars' hand of doom is characterized. The world is no more and it place of the bodies there is nothing but ashes. The "War Pigs", these politicians are done for and have lost their power. The "hand of God" has dawned the day of reckoning. However, it's not just for the leaders responsible for the war, but everyone will have to suffer the cruel fate. In the closing lines those who started the war are assumed to have to face their undoer, Satan. Even though they may beg and plead for forgiveness he laughs and "spreads his wings" to welcome them into his kingdom.

I believe the song has a very powerful message and should be repeated to new generations to continue the stigma that war is evil. I hope it as well as many other sources keep a constant and persistent focus on typecasting war as murder and one of our ultimate threats. With so many inherent evils and natural hazards humanity needs to learn to bond and work on keeping our prosperity on the rise. Otherwise we may all end up crawling on our knees begging for release.