The Soldiering Life Lyrics
The call to arms, you likened to a whisper
I liken to a radio
You were a brickbat, a bowery tough, so rough
They culled you from a cartoon
Pulled out of your pantaloons
My brother in arms
I'd rather I'd lose my limbs
Than let you come to harm
My bombazine doll
The bullets may singe your skin
And the mortars may fall
I never felt so much life
Than tonight
Huddled in the trenches
Gazing on the battlefield
Our rifles blaze away
We blaze away
And proud array standing by the bathing
Soldiers and the stevedores
We laid on the mattress and tumbled to sleep
Our eyes align, swaddled in our civies
Cradled in our dungarees
My brother in arms
I'd rather I'd lose my limbs
Than let you come to harm
My bombazine doll
The bullets may singe your skin
And the mortars may fall
I never felt so much life
Than tonight
Huddled in the trenches
Gazing on the battlefield
Our rifles blaze away
We blaze away
We blaze away
We blaze away
i love this song a lot....and it reminds me of All Quiet on the Western Front...a tad bit
This song describes both brotherhood between soldiers and a bit of homoeroticism thrown in, as well. It's subtle but it is definitely there.
I agree about the bit of homoeroticism, I was going to post something to the effect when I first heard this song a few days ago (I know I'm a bit late haha).
I agree about the bit of homoeroticism, I was going to post something to the effect when I first heard this song a few days ago (I know I'm a bit late haha).
Good, I'm not the only one who noticed this. ^^;;
Good, I'm not the only one who noticed this. ^^;;
bom·ba·zine - A fine twilled fabric of silk and worsted or cotton, often dyed black and used for mourning clothes.
I often use a dictionary when listening the Decemberists.
i feel silly saying "i love this song" because, there isn't a song by this band that I don't. but in case there is doubt, I fucking love this song/band.
I love the thought of two men finding love on the battlefield. It's such a beautiful theme.
I LOVE the word innuendo as well, but almost all instances of its use have been wrong in previous comments to the extent of using it for its opposite. This song does have some homosexual innuendo but for the most part is clearly mapping out the fraternal-style, gay relationships nurtured in long term and close contact military situations. One is seduced by a whisper of glory and camaraderie, our narrator is commanded by patriotism and duty, and the two of them shared these thoughts as they 'tumbled to sleep.' The corporal is proudly standing next to his bathing soldiers with stevedores. Why are these stevedores bathing with the soldiers? because stevedores have been notorious for coupling with shipmen when they dock. This is not a song doesnt seem to be denouncing or chastising gay tendancies in military situations, rather holding up to the light some of the homosexual-type relationships that are unique to this specific environment and how they are natural and joyful in their setting.
This is a great, great song. It is also one of the gayest songs of all time not written by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
"Our rifles blaze away We blaze away"
Yep, sounds like they were "flaming" alright.
*This is not to disparage homosexuality in any way. It's just to point out that this is a very, very gay song. It's also beautiful and wistful, sort of a doomed romantic tale.
I stand by that this is the best song on her majesty but they're all good
Pretty awesome song... Im enjoying the decemberists at the moment.
what the heck is a bombazine doll?
....?