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.
Peter said to Paul "All those words that we wrote
Are just the rules of the game and the rules are the first to go"
But now talkin' to God is Laurel beggin' Hardy for a gun
I got a girl in the war, man I wonder what it is we done
Paul said to Peter "You gotta rock yourself a little harder,
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire"
And I got a girl in the war, Paul the only thing I know to do
Is turn up the music and pray that she makes it through
Because the keys to the kingdom got locked inside the kingdom
And the angels fly around in there, but we can't see them
And I got a girl in the war, Paul I know that they can hear me yell
If they can't find a way to help, they can go to Hell
If they can't find a way to help her, they can go to Hell
Paul said to Peter "You gotta rock yourself a little harder,
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire"
But I got a girl in the war, Paul her eyes are like champagne
They sparkle, bubble over, and in the morning all you got is rain
Sparkle, bubble over, and in the morning all you got is rain
They sparkle, bubble over, and in the morning all you got is rain
Are just the rules of the game and the rules are the first to go"
But now talkin' to God is Laurel beggin' Hardy for a gun
I got a girl in the war, man I wonder what it is we done
Paul said to Peter "You gotta rock yourself a little harder,
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire"
And I got a girl in the war, Paul the only thing I know to do
Is turn up the music and pray that she makes it through
Because the keys to the kingdom got locked inside the kingdom
And the angels fly around in there, but we can't see them
And I got a girl in the war, Paul I know that they can hear me yell
If they can't find a way to help, they can go to Hell
If they can't find a way to help her, they can go to Hell
Paul said to Peter "You gotta rock yourself a little harder,
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire"
But I got a girl in the war, Paul her eyes are like champagne
They sparkle, bubble over, and in the morning all you got is rain
Sparkle, bubble over, and in the morning all you got is rain
They sparkle, bubble over, and in the morning all you got is rain
Lyrics submitted by angryostrich, edited by soso104
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Personally, I don't think it's as blunt as "this represents Bush" and "this represents the USA". But I think the lyric "girl in the war" represents truth (like Milkman said), innocence, and faith.
I love Josh's song writing. Take the lyric "Paul Said to Peter you gotta rock yourself a little harder". The allusion is perfect; even down to the detail (Peter means rock; ...on this rock I will build my Church).