For the Greater Good of God

Iron Maiden

Are you a man of peace
Or a man of holy war?
Too many sides to you
Don't know which anymore
So many full of life
But also filled with pain
Don't know just how many
Will live to breathe again

A life that's made to breathe
Destruction or defense
A mind that's vain corruption
Bad or good intent
A wolf in sheep's clothing
Or saintly or sinner
Or some that would believe
A holy war winner

They fire off many shots
And many parting blows
Their actions beyond a reasoning
Only God would know
And as he lies in heaven
Or it could be in hell
I feel he's somewhere here
Or looking from below
But I don't know, I don't know

Please tell me now what life is
Please tell me now what love is
Well, tell me now what war is
Again, tell me what life is

More pain and misery in the history of mankind
Sometimes it seems more like
The blind leading the blind
It brings upon us more of famine, death and war
You know religion has a lot to answer for

Please tell me now what life is
Please tell me now what love is
Well, tell me now what war is
Again, tell me what life is

And as they search to find
The bodies in the sand
They find its ashes that are
Scattered across the land
And as the spirits seem to whistle on the wind
A shot is fired somewhere another war begins

And all because of it
You'd think that we would learn
But still the body count the city fires burn
Somewhere there's someone dying
In a foreign land
Meanwhile the world is crying
Stupidity of man
Tell me why?
Tell me why?

Please tell me now what life is
Please tell me now what love is
Well, tell me now what war is
Again, tell me what life is

Please tell me now what life is
Please tell me now what love is
Well, tell me now what war is
Again, tell me what life is

For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God

Please tell me now what life is
Please tell me now what love is
Well, tell me now what war is
Again, tell me what life is

Please tell me now what life is
Please tell me now what love is
Well, tell me now what war is
Again, tell me what life is

For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God
For the greater good of God

He gave his life for us
He fell upon the cross
To die for all of those
Who never mourn his loss
It wasn't meant for us
To feel the pain again
Tell me why?
Tell me why?


Lyrics submitted by P30

For the Greater Good of God Lyrics as written by Stephen Percy Harris

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group

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For the Greater Good of God song meanings
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37 Comments

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  • +7
    General Comment

    i see allot of people saying stuff like "its about how religion causes problems" not only do i disagree that religion causes problems, but i also disagree that its what the song says.

    i think the song is saying "God would not approve". i think it is written to all of those who say "for the greater good of God" and then do something that is totally unchristianlike.

    ill go about breaking this down: "Are you a man of peace Or a man of holy war Too many sides to you Don't know which anymore So many full of life But also filled with pain Don't know just how many Will live to breathe again"

    i think this part is him speculating like allot of uncertain people would about whether or not God is a good God, or a violent one. i think it has allot to do with people saying "Im on God's side" and then doing terrible things (ill call them pharisees from now on). i think it brings up the issue of people rejecting God, because of people who say they are of God, and do terrible things. etc.

    "Please tell me now what life is Please tell me now what love is Well tell me now what war is Again tell me what life is"

    i believe this part is the main sting of the song. someone earlier said they dont like this, but i think its more than beautiful. i think it is him saying to the pharisees of our day.. i think he is using the Socratic method here to prove his point. i think he is trying to get them to come to the conclusion that war is the opposite of love, and kills life.

    "He gave his life for us He fell upon the cross To die for all of those who never mourn his loss It wasn't meant for us to feel the pain again Tell me why, tell me why "

    i think this is the closing of the argument. he is pointing out that God is a God of love, and that he would go out, and die, for people who would disrespect and spit on him - go through agony. i think this parallels the point about war, that Christianity is about turning the other cheek, going through hell and back for the same people that kill you. if you lived by this motto, you wouldnt ever really participate in a war.

    i think the "for the greater good of God" is him kind of mocking the pharisees who say these things with condescension (if you dont notice it, the way he vocalizes this part is rather harsh, sounds like he is putting anger through it).

    i think the motto of the song basically is: God is a God of love. If you are going to do something in the name of God, you better make damn good sure its something God would approve of.

    sniktawekimon October 29, 2009   Link

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