In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Come you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks
You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain
You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you sit back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
While the young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud
You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
That even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good?
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could?
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
And I hope that you die
And your death will come soon
I'll follow your casket
By the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand over your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks
You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain
You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you sit back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
While the young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud
You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
That even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good?
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could?
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
And I hope that you die
And your death will come soon
I'll follow your casket
By the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand over your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead
Lyrics submitted by bikiniekillgrrrl, edited by Mellow_Harsher
Masters of War Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is a Bob Dylan cover
the Benaroya Hall 2003 version (with two guitars & eddies voice on form) is fanastic - there is an older one by pearl jam from a Bob Dylan tribute concert in early ninties thats worth lookin at too. Bob Dylans version is on the album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan".it has several protest songs on it and if you like these lyrics you love that album.greatest poet ever is bob
This is for all you morons who have jumped on the anti-Bush and anti-Iraq War over the last few years:
Yes, this song, written in 1963, can be applied to the war in Iraq and sadly, all the other wars that will be fought in the future. However, the conflict in Iraq was much more justifiable than the Vietnam War. Although I do not agree with how the war was managed and carried out, it was very much needed. Saddam Hussein was a terrible and ruthless dictator. He allowed women to be beaten, raped, and tortured while allowing the men who committed these horrible acts, his sons in particular, to go free with any punishment. Further, Hussein used chemical weapons against his own people in order to defeat his enemies and stay in power. As I have stated before, I do not agree with how Bush got us into the war, by lying and saying Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, but he was justified in trying to bring Democracy to the Middle East and bringing down the Hussein regime. It may look like our efforts were in vain at the moment; however, I believe that twenty years from now we will see the fruits of removing Saddam from power and bringing Democracy to an unstable Middle East.
@BMDNYC wow, your "war on Iraq was a needed one" did not age well.
"by Twinb1983 on 04-14-2004 @ 09:46:16 PM
This is a Bob Dylan cover"
Yes it is, but Pearl Jam does an excellent job on it.
I agree, I don't really know the Bob Dylan version, but this one kicks ass!
pearl jam does a great job with this song
This song is great. The last line always sticks with me. "And I'll stand over your grave till I'm sure that you're dead"
Whoah, this song is amazing. I've seen the early 90's version and Ed's voice is grand and creepy. The last verse is scary, but seriously what he's singing about (Bob Dylan) is just dazzling. Love the "But there's one thing I know, though I'm younger than you, Even Jesus would never forgive what you do." and the last line too. I think the meaning is obvious, it's an anti-war song. Once again PJ do a great cover.
bob dylan is one of the greatest and so is pearl jam-i also think pearl jam does covers better than anybody,eddies voice is fantastic and mcready and gossard kick ass at guitar
BD versions better but im gonna make my point on both this one and the Bob Dylan version: Anyone i play this song for that hasnt heard it before thinks its about Iraq... ITS ABOUT VIETNAM. So obviously Iraq truely is another vietnam.