Soldiers of Misfortune

Anyone else pull the blatant Iraq message from this song? I love the sweeping emotional feel that complements a transcedent, somewhat apolitical message. Basically, the war sucks, but this song doesn't seem to be about taking it out on the man for policy mishaps, but instead has a simple, albeit profound, message of hope and prayer for the troops on the ground.

However much people bicker about the war, it doesn't change the fact that kids are over there, and I may be one of them soon (a new army recruit facing the possibilty of deployment next year.) I'm ready to do my duty over there when called, but the idealistic dreams that I'm sure many in my generation shared at the begining of the war have faded (i.e. "the reasons have smeared"). Haven't even been there yet and already having nightmares (i.e. "I'd like to wake up from this dream)...I can't imagine how the boys and girls over there are dealing.

The lyrics above don't include the "over there" thing at the end of the song. The phrase "over there" as it's used today to refer to the situation in the Middle East connotes so much distance. It's sometimes said carelessly, or with a sense of subdued, apathetic disattachment that often covers up an undercurrent of strong and conflicting emotions. And I think the way it stretches out in repititions at the end of the song really captures the magnitude of the emotional and physical distance of being seperated at war. It sounds like he's trying to cry the words "over there" so far and so long that they stretch across the oceans like a prayer to reach every soul emeshed in that great misfortune of a war.

For russian users: обсудить песню, прочитать перевод песни можно здесь: http://musick.me/blog/Songs/53.html

First Comment!

This is a great song by the way.

Ну спасибо тебе здоровенское =)