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Massacre Lyrics
At a point below zero
There's no place left to go
Six hundred unknown heroes
Were killed like sleeping buffalo
Through the devil's canyon
Across the battlefield
Death has no companion
The spirit is forced to yield
There goes the bandolero
Through the hole in the wall
He's a coward but doesn't care though
In fact, he doesn't care at all
The general that's commanding
He's defending what he fears
While the troops they are depending
On reinforcements from the rear
If God is in the heavens
How can this happen here?
In his name, they used the weapons
For the massacre
There is a point below zero
Where the sun can see the land
Six hundred unknown heroes
Lay dead beneath the sand
There's no place left to go
Six hundred unknown heroes
Were killed like sleeping buffalo
Across the battlefield
Death has no companion
The spirit is forced to yield
Through the hole in the wall
He's a coward but doesn't care though
In fact, he doesn't care at all
He's defending what he fears
While the troops they are depending
On reinforcements from the rear
How can this happen here?
In his name, they used the weapons
For the massacre
Where the sun can see the land
Six hundred unknown heroes
Lay dead beneath the sand
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In Graeme Thomson's book on Phil Lynott (Cowboy Song: The Authorized Biography of Philip Lynitt) the author supplies some interesting background information about the song that may shed some light about the meaning of the song:
"... while the pounding 'Massacre' was essentially a sequel to 'Emerald'. Originally titled 'Little Big Horn', it was another song on slaughter, only this time the battle -lines had moved from ancient Ireland to the nineteenth century American Plains. But even when repeating himself, Lynott was routinely capable of vivid arresting imagery. 'Massacre' tells of 'six hundred unknown heroes killed like sleeping buffalo'; towards the end of 'Fool's Gold' ..." (location: 3267, in the Kindle edition).
I never knew such an amazing song existed until I was listening to the recordings of the Axis of Justice Radio Show (Serj Tankian and Tom Morello). They played this song on a show concerning genocide. Such a touching song, with poignant lyrics, and a haunting message about genocides and massacres all around the world.
It is a touching song, especially the way Lynnot sings it. He pumps so much emotion into the lyrics when he sung it. It would be interesting to know if he wrote it about a particular event in history, or if it's just a song about collective battles and/or genocides.
I could be horribly wrong about this, but it might be the Battle of the Alamo he's talking about here....there were about 600 or so mexican casualties, and he mentions a "bandalero." Just a shot in the dark here...
@cystermisterie I'm gonna say Little Big Horn. Devils Canyon is in Montana. So is the Custer battlefield. However there were less than 600 killed, total. Soldiers and Native Americans included. On the other hand, the battle of the Alamo had approx. 600 Mexican soldiers killed. So, in less we talk to a member of the band from the album. I guess we'll never know. My money's on The Battle of Little Big Horn. And if you ever get a chance to go see the battlefield, I highly recommend it. Very sobering experience.
@cystermisterie I'm gonna say Little Big Horn. Devils Canyon is in Montana. So is the Custer battlefield. However there were less than 600 killed, total. Soldiers and Native Americans included. On the other hand, the battle of the Alamo had approx. 600 Mexican soldiers killed. So, in less we talk to a member of the band from the album. I guess we'll never know. My money's on The Battle of Little Big Horn. And if you ever get a chance to go see the battlefield, I highly recommend it. Very sobering experience.
"Little Turtle, leading his Miamis and allied Shawnees, defeated Arthur. St. Clair's troops in 1791, they killed more than six hundred US soldiers"
Evan S. Connell - Book; "Son of the Morning Star"
Arthur St. Clair's army met an even greater disaster in western Ohio - 600 killed and 400 wounded, the worst defeat ever inflicted on an American army by Native Americans."
Arthur St. Clair's army met an even greater disaster in western Ohio - 600 killed and 400 wounded, the worst defeat ever inflicted on an American army by Native Americans."
Arthur St. Clair's army met an even greater disaster in western Ohio - 600 killed and 400 wounded, the worst defeat ever inflicted on an American army by Native Americans."
Arthur St. Clair's army met an even greater disaster in western Ohio - 600 killed and 400 wounded, the worst defeat ever inflicted on an American army by Native Americans."
Arthur St. Clair's army met an even greater disaster in western Ohio - 600 killed and 400 wounded, the worst defeat ever inflicted on an American army by Native Americans."
Arthur St. Clair's army met an even greater disaster in western Ohio - 600 killed and 400 wounded, the worst defeat ever inflicted on an American army by Native Americans."