The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
East and West could not agree
So their generals gave call, gathered troops at the border
With guns at ready, drawn and aimed
Each side was praying to a God to bless them with strength and courage
It was in His name artillery lit the sky on fire
The people sang protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
Protest songs in 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
And 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 response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
Protest songs in response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
But the battle raged on
While 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, they sang...
Protest songs in response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
Protest songs in response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
Protest songs in response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
Protest songs in response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
But the battle raged on
So their generals gave call, gathered troops at the border
With guns at ready, drawn and aimed
Each side was praying to a God to bless them with strength and courage
It was in His name artillery lit the sky on fire
The people sang protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
Protest songs in 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
And 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 response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
Protest songs in response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
But the battle raged on
While 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, they sang...
Protest songs in response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
Protest songs in response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
Protest songs in response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
Protest songs in response to military aggression
Protest songs to try and stop the soldier's gun
But the battle raged on
Lyrics submitted by JeffJeckal
White People for Peace Lyrics as written by Thomas James Gabel
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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This song is saying to me that each side to a war, to conflict or aggression, has its own justification, and to each side of the war there will be the media or a rock band, a "voice of the people" to publicize the outrages of war, for their own sake of getting fans and loyal listeners. White People for Peace, white people telling us why the war is wrong who really don't give any reason to what they say. Their words, their protests are pointless, and it doesn't change the fact that the battle rages on. When our own soldiers are telling us that this war is without reason, the only people who pretend to do anything about it are well-off white people and bureacrats who don't do a fucking thing to change the situation. The battle goes on and on and on, but when will it finally stop, when will someone finally end it?