Hero of War Lyrics
Well, what would you say if I said that you could?
Just carry this gun. You'll even get paid."
I said "That sounds pretty good."
They cut off my hair, but it looked alright.
We marched and we sang. We all became friends
as we learned how to fight.
and when I come home, they'll be damn proud of me.
I'll carry this flag to the grave if I must,
'cause it's a flag that I love and a flag that I trust.
The children, they cried, but I got my man.
We took him away - a bag over his face -
from his family and his friends.
I told them to stop, but then I joined in.
We beat him with guns and batons - not just once,
but again and again.
and when I come home, they'll be damn proud of me.
I'll carry this flag to the grave if I must,
'cause it's a flag that I love and a flag that I trust.
I asked her to stop. I begged her to stay.
But she pressed on, so I lifted my gun,
and I fired away...
and into the sand that the blood now had soaked.
She collapsed with a flag in her hand
- a flag white as snow.
Just medals and scars... So damn proud of me!
And I brought home that flag - now it gathers dust.
But it's a flag that I love. It's the only flag I trust.
Well, what would you say if I said that you could?"
I haven't made up my mind as to whether I love or hate this song. As a soldier in the United States Army, I have mixed feelings.
Members of the armed forces have joined on a volunteer basis. Obviously, they each have their own individual reasons, but I'm sure each and every one has a sense of pride for their country and the belief that they are doing something noble by enlisting.
However, I believe this song perfectly exemplifies how easy it is to change from a hero to a criminal. We are in the field, where absolutely nothing is certain. I believe being in the armed forced is quite possibly one of the most difficult jobs, because you never know what is coming the next second. Driving in a convoy, the car ahead with bystanders next to it could be people waving and thanking you, or waiting with a bomb in the trunk.
The first situation with the prisoner shows how a hero can become a criminal. There are rules of war, and when violated, you are most certainly in the wrong. This chorus angered me, because I know there are ignorant people in this country who will read it and immediately stereotype every soldier. Yes, this has happened, and it is an ugly scar the army must live with, but it does not mean the rest of the soldiers must sacrifice their innocence, heroism, and pride because of it.
As for the second situation with the woman being shot, I feel this shows by so many soldiers return from tours of duty needing counseling. The woman was running towards him ignoring commands, what else is he to do? She could have had a bomb strapped to her chest. In war, it is split second decisions. Him or her. He has a job to do. She ignored his command. He immediately becomes worried and scared for his own life. Only after does he realize the error in that the woman was not an enemy, but someone wanting peace. Certainly a mistake...but a mistake MUCH harder to avoid than the first.
God Bless.
bradley906 i completly aggree with u. i love this song and its my favorite by Rise Against. Its a very powerful song. I'm just a teenager but what u said about "split second decisions" is very true and u r rite.
bradley906 i completly aggree with u. i love this song and its my favorite by Rise Against. Its a very powerful song. I'm just a teenager but what u said about "split second decisions" is very true and u r rite.
First thank you for joining the armed forces, I have a younger brother that is a marine and is getting ready to go to boot camp in the fall. I also have other family that have been in different branches of the military and good friends that are currently in the military. And i agree with everything you said, the song is about taking pride in your country and in times of war terrible things happen some are avoidable while others are things that no one can expect or see coming. This song is great cause it shows how a...
First thank you for joining the armed forces, I have a younger brother that is a marine and is getting ready to go to boot camp in the fall. I also have other family that have been in different branches of the military and good friends that are currently in the military. And i agree with everything you said, the song is about taking pride in your country and in times of war terrible things happen some are avoidable while others are things that no one can expect or see coming. This song is great cause it shows how a person can believe in being a soldier and fighting for their country, but still have problems with what they have to do while they are at war. Again thank you for protecting our country and everything that you do for us. The men and women in the armed forces are not recongnized enough for what they have to do every single day. May you come home safetly.
Like assassination44, I am also a teenager. I have mixed feelings about the current wars. However, I do respect the soldiers and all that they do. I just wanted to think you for helping me put into words what I was unable to.
Like assassination44, I am also a teenager. I have mixed feelings about the current wars. However, I do respect the soldiers and all that they do. I just wanted to think you for helping me put into words what I was unable to.
I think that this song is about taking pride in your country, but when everyone does so in war you lose sight of the goal of peace. Sometimes in war immoral acts are committed and then it can be hard to tell who is and isn't a "hero of war".
I think that this song is about taking pride in your country, but when everyone does so in war you lose sight of the goal of peace. Sometimes in war immoral acts are committed and then it can be hard to tell who is and isn't a "hero of war".
I would just like to...
I would just like to analyze one brilliant line at the end where it says "It's the only flag I trust". I think that what is trying to be said is that sometimes pride for your country becomes too great to trust other nations.
I'll give you my take on the song, as a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces. I served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Pararescueman for the 320th STS.
Disclaimer: I don't speak for all service members, but for those of us who have come across these scenarios... I think this is as accurate as I can be.
He said "Son, have you seen the world? Well, what would you say if I said that you could? Just carry this gun and you'll even get paid." I said "That sounds pretty good."
- Speaking with the recruiter, excited about the opportunity to serve your country and get paid (even though it's very little) in the process.
Black leather boots Spit-shined so bright They cut off my hair but it looked alright We marched and we sang We all became friends As we learned how to fight
- The pride you feel when you enlist. At first, it's all hard work and excitement. The brotherhood, getting through tough ordeals with a group of people who you have to learn to trust with your life, literally. For a minimum of four years, these people are your new family.
A hero of war Yeah that's what I'll be And when I come home They'll be damn proud of me I'll carry this flag To the grave if I must Because it's a flag that I love And a flag that I trust
- I think "hero of war" is a bit skewed, that's not the majority's perspective but the line fits the song well (still consumed by pride at wearing the uniform). Again, we're standing 10-feet tall carrying this flag, wearing this uniform, protecting our families back home... pretty basic thought process.
I kicked in the door I yelled my commands The children, they cried But I got my man We took him away A bag over his face From his family and his friends
- When you finally deploy and land in a hostile AO (Area of Operations), things get very serious... we've been constantly spoon-fed stories of overseas tours and soldiers are so anxious to finally DO the jobs they've spent 1-2 years training for and building up to. We're taught that these men we capture have no face -- no family -- no life. They're just terrorists that need to be brought in and questioned. At this point, we still feel like we're "fighting the good fight".
They took off his clothes They pissed in his hands I told them to stop But then I joined in We beat him with guns And batons not just once But again and again
-
This part is hard to explain to someone who's never been in this position. It's easy to criticize and monday-morning-quarterback what you hear about on T.V. with soldiers beating prisoners and such. You spend so much time being shot at, in constant fear of your life, and watching your friends get injured/killed that it all becomes VERY, VERY personal. You start believing every person you apprehend is part of some evil organization out to kill you, it's just a lot of mental strain... not sure how else to put it. NOT EVERYONE DOES THIS, but I know how angry I was and how rough I handled a few prisoners (more like rude behavior to someone in handcuffs -- pushing them when you guide their direction, grabbing their collar to stand them up, etc. not literal "drawing blood" violence).
-
The Chorus rolls through again, re-iterating the pride you feel at keeping your country safe.
She walked through bullets and haze I asked her to stop I begged her to stay But she pressed on So I lifted my gun And I fired away
The shells jumped through the smoke And into the sand That the blood now had soaked She collapsed with a flag in her hand A flag white as snow
- I'll explain this through a personal experience. When you guard a checkpoint that searches cars, or you're assaulting a city to liberate it from extremists who are abducting the townspeople's men/children to become soldiers, etc.. there's a figurative line in the sand you draw. If a person or a car is lined with explosives, for our own safety we have a "blast zone radius". We warn them to stay back, our translator uses a megaphone to call out in their native tongue to stop. If they don't, we raise our weapons and tell them to stop AGAIN. Unfortunately, if they don't listen... we can't allow them to walk up to us and blow up our entire unit. We're not supposed to fire "warning shots", but we do... because hell, no one WANTS to shoot someone. In my situation, a woman approached our checkpoint in a white robe with her arms crossed keeping it closed. We followed the above procedures, until she started actually RUNNING at us. We had no choice but to fire, and when the bomb squad arrived... her robe was filled with half-spoiled fruit she was trying to sell us to make ends meet. We had no way of knowing, and it was just a tragic situation for everyone. Our only other choice was to let her walk right up to us, and risk all being blown to pieces. It's a bad situation in those countries... they use children, women, and old people to blow us up because we don't usually suspect them as quickly.
A hero of war Is that what they see Just medals and scars So damn proud of me And I brought home that flag Now it gathers dust But it's a flag that I love It's the only flag I trust
- At this point, the pride is still there somewhat... but the bitterness and the terrible autrocities of war have broken most of our spirits. We don't want to fight anymore, we just want to go home... and when we GET home, we have to deal with all the memories, like the girl, for the rest of our lives. We constantly battle with PTSD. Most of us spend the rest of our lives regretting the deaths of friends, loved ones, or strangers -- and trying to find a justfication somewhere that we were protecting our country. To not lose our minds, we have to cling to the flag and remember that all of this happened for "a good reason", but we don't know anymore if that's even true. It's a bad back and forth situation, and the Veteran's Affairs (VA) office doesn't know how to help PTSD soldiers very well. How can you remove that kind of scar from people's memories??
He said, "Son, have you seen the world? Well what would you say, if I said that you could?"
- The very last bit... is the next guy walking into the recruiter's office to start the cycle over again.
TL:DR It's a song about a soldier's patriotic views eventually running into a brick wall of morals and ethics, where you do things for your country that sometimes you can't live with once you get home.
It's a beautiful, ACCURATE song... and as much as the song makes me swell up with pride an sadness everytime I hear it -- I appreciate Rise Against compiling such a song that really understands soldier's perspectives.
Thank you for reading guys, hope this helped. -Brent
Well said.
Well said.
@locke107 Your comment of this song is one of the most complete, personal and full of reasons to explain what does this song means for you from all over this page. I simply love your honesty in telling that not all you have done in war was right, but you have done because you musted, also if we can discuss if your live was whorts more than the life of a young girl riscking her live for living (selling fruit). Anyway thank you for the comment, even if it's just one piont of view.
@locke107 Your comment of this song is one of the most complete, personal and full of reasons to explain what does this song means for you from all over this page. I simply love your honesty in telling that not all you have done in war was right, but you have done because you musted, also if we can discuss if your live was whorts more than the life of a young girl riscking her live for living (selling fruit). Anyway thank you for the comment, even if it's just one piont of view.
The song is amazing. It is also clearly not criticizing soldiers.
It is a display of human nature. The example of pissing in the prisoners hands is obviously referencing Abu Ghraib and it even notes that he first tried to tell them to stop before joining in. If anything its sympathizing with the people involved in that horrific incident, explaining that even if the soldier knew what he was doing was wrong, peer pressure pulled him in. The hate that is fed to them pulled them in. They're products of their environment.
The shooting of the female is the same way. I'd shoot her too, no one is about to wait to find out if she has a bomb strapped to her or not. Hindsight is 20/20, though, so when she falls and it becomes clear that she only wanted peace, that can do nothing but put a heavy strain on the feelings of the solider involved. It's hard to feel good about what you're doing when you're forced into these situations.
But it's not saying they're wrong - it's saying that war is ugly. The soldier, if anything, is being praised for having to go through with it to protect the rights of humans around the world.
I really didn't like this song at first but then I actually listened to the lyrics and now I love it. It's basically a big fuck you to war and how it's not nearly as glorified as people seem to think.
There are bad things that happen in war, but I also understand reality. We in America Have been blessed with greater freedom than any other contry in the history of the World, and Because of this, there are tons of people who will not stop until The United States of America no longer exists. Our Troops do what is necessary to defend our country and our freedom. War is an ugly thing but it is a necessary evil. If the USA did not go to war to defend itself i guarantee that People speaking out against the Government and against...
There are bad things that happen in war, but I also understand reality. We in America Have been blessed with greater freedom than any other contry in the history of the World, and Because of this, there are tons of people who will not stop until The United States of America no longer exists. Our Troops do what is necessary to defend our country and our freedom. War is an ugly thing but it is a necessary evil. If the USA did not go to war to defend itself i guarantee that People speaking out against the Government and against the war would not enjoy the same freedoms. The man that was captured in this song probably aided in the 9/11 attack that separated thousands from their families. I believe that it is our duty as Americans to stand behind our troops and support them no matter what, I for one am proud of each and every American Soldier who has ever fought For the United States of America.
This song is more supportive of our troops than a false flag, which is all the previous administration provided us with. That man captured in this song was probably an Iraqi civilian that had nothing to do with the insurgency against our "spreading democracy." I'm all for our troops, but do I agree with everything they're sent to do? Hell no I don't. You probably think that the Abu Ghraib prison scandal was a good thing, and it's not good that you think that. You probably think waterboarding isn't torture, but I bet you'd recant the stance if you were...
This song is more supportive of our troops than a false flag, which is all the previous administration provided us with. That man captured in this song was probably an Iraqi civilian that had nothing to do with the insurgency against our "spreading democracy." I'm all for our troops, but do I agree with everything they're sent to do? Hell no I don't. You probably think that the Abu Ghraib prison scandal was a good thing, and it's not good that you think that. You probably think waterboarding isn't torture, but I bet you'd recant the stance if you were subjected to it. The war in Iraq wasn't one that needed to be fought at the time it was, plain and simple. The man who orchestrates the attacks on the US, such as 9/11, is Osama bin Laden, and he was in Afghanistan, where we should have stayed in the first place, we might have caught him. I'm proud of the men and women who serve our country, but I wish they hadn't been pressed into service where they were.
it's not a fuck you to anything you moron
it's not a fuck you to anything you moron
This song is actually amazing if you listen to it a couple of times and really pay attention to the lyrics. Tim basically lets everyone know his, and most likely, the band's stance on the war. He's saying that soldiers aren't nearly as glorified as the media makes them up to be.
I believe he also mixes in that the people were fighting have as much, if not more, pride in their country and our willing to take their flag to their grave as well. Awesome song.
This song is a very poor representation of the wars, sadly, it makes soldiers sound like brutal, horrible people, when really its not all like that. So it may be his stance, but, he really needs to learn more about that war if he thinks that's all that is going on. Does it come down to kicking in doors and shooting people? Sadly, yes, I don't like to do that, I don't really LIKE to shoot anybody. There's no way to actually sugar coat this, and I'm not as horrible of a person as this makes me sound, but, war is war,...
This song is a very poor representation of the wars, sadly, it makes soldiers sound like brutal, horrible people, when really its not all like that. So it may be his stance, but, he really needs to learn more about that war if he thinks that's all that is going on. Does it come down to kicking in doors and shooting people? Sadly, yes, I don't like to do that, I don't really LIKE to shoot anybody. There's no way to actually sugar coat this, and I'm not as horrible of a person as this makes me sound, but, war is war, it's sad that it comes to that, no one WANTS it to, sometimes, it just has to. One thing a lot of people (I'm not saying you as I don't know), seem to forget that this is a war like none other. We aren't fighting a uniformed Armed Forces, we are fighting a bunch of cowards who hide in with civilians. We of course have rules to try to help us tell the difference between innocent civilian and insurgent. I was hoping, you could point out where he is talking about the pride in their country? I'm not knocking you, or saying your wrong, but, if I am missing this, I'd like to know where it is. I'm trying to figure out what exactly he is saying. Thank you!
I'm a soldier and war is like that. Its sad that war is like that but its like kurigerb said. Kurigerb sounds like a non-infantry leg fag because he says that people aren't brutal over here. I'm a paratrooper and soldiers are pretty vicious. We don't go around massacring people or killing anyone innocent but to say that someone innocent has never died in this war is outrageous. And to say the rules of armed conflict or our ROE is going to help us pick out who is good and bad is stupid.
I'm a soldier and war is like that. Its sad that war is like that but its like kurigerb said. Kurigerb sounds like a non-infantry leg fag because he says that people aren't brutal over here. I'm a paratrooper and soldiers are pretty vicious. We don't go around massacring people or killing anyone innocent but to say that someone innocent has never died in this war is outrageous. And to say the rules of armed conflict or our ROE is going to help us pick out who is good and bad is stupid.
And I would like to comment on...
And I would like to comment on the taking my flag to the grave concept. I joined the army cause I used to be a patriot. I'm not really one any more. I love the country but I hate what the gov't does to it. So I would still take my flag to the grave but not for my gov't. If I die it'll be because of what the gov't tells me to do but I don't fight for them I fight for Americans who just want to live. I fight for the people, my family and friends.
I am a Soldier. I agree with most of the song but it also makes me angry. Yes there are are few of the "Good Soldiers" that he speaks of throughout the military, but I think that they are thugs with a weapon and have no conscious. 98% of the military is not like this no matter what the Liberals and extremist organizations want you to believe. I do not agree with the politics of this war but I do believe in my fellow Soldiers. As long as they are putting their lives on the...
I am a Soldier. I agree with most of the song but it also makes me angry. Yes there are are few of the "Good Soldiers" that he speaks of throughout the military, but I think that they are thugs with a weapon and have no conscious. 98% of the military is not like this no matter what the Liberals and extremist organizations want you to believe. I do not agree with the politics of this war but I do believe in my fellow Soldiers. As long as they are putting their lives on the line day in and day out please show them the respect they deserve. I never have and never will leave a fallen comrade. If you don't want to support this war, please support my Brothers and Sisters in Arms.
Personally, I think this song is NOT criticizing soldiers. Yes bad things happen in war, and people do the wrong thing sometimes, but I think that is exactly Rise Against's point. War is a cruel and horrible thing that makes people do things that they would never even think of doing. The prisoner, the woman being shot, they are both things that a VERY LARGE majority of soldiers would never do. Yet in times of war, they do it. Rise Against wants people to see that, they want everyone to know what war can do to a person.
I haven't heard this song, but after reading the lyrics, I have to say that I enjoyed how they bring up shooting at the lady who's carrying a flag herself. Although the flag was white... which means surrender, I still think it's interesting how he praises his flag so much, just as much as the people he's shooting at praise their flag. The main difference here is that he has a rifle. The main comparison here is that they both share a loyalty to their flag that they trust so much... even though she winds up dead.
Are you stupid? She wasn't really carrying a flag in her hand dummy. It's just a way to say that once he shot her (beacause he couldn't tell if she had a bomb or not) He realyze that she was afraid and was running for help, not for bombing em.
Are you stupid? She wasn't really carrying a flag in her hand dummy. It's just a way to say that once he shot her (beacause he couldn't tell if she had a bomb or not) He realyze that she was afraid and was running for help, not for bombing em.
Karrmer is right on. He isnt hating on soldiers, but more on war itself.
I dont believe that they are trying to generalize soldiers but just war itself and what it does to people. My question is at the end of the song, he talks about the flag that he brought home gathering dust, which flag is he talking about. At first I thought it was just the American flag but the more I listen to it the more I think it could be the white flag that the woman was carrying. I was just wondering what other people thought of that.
i agree with you. i thought the same thing, after listening to the song about 3-4 times. At the end, he takes the white flag home, and it's the "only one he can trust."
i agree with you. i thought the same thing, after listening to the song about 3-4 times. At the end, he takes the white flag home, and it's the "only one he can trust."
@lanks That makes the most sense, to refer to the flag that was just mentioned in the previous verse. And this twist makes the ending chorus so incredibly powerful, how the flag allegiance has changed from a nation flag to a flag of peace. ;_;
@lanks That makes the most sense, to refer to the flag that was just mentioned in the previous verse. And this twist makes the ending chorus so incredibly powerful, how the flag allegiance has changed from a nation flag to a flag of peace. ;_;
Throsby, please don't just assume that the song only refers to the views of "American citizens".
There are many, many, many nations that have previously or currently taking their part in conflict, and many of these have the same ironic "heroic" views on war and those actions taken during war.
Rise Against may be an American band, but do not assume their words are to be taken only in reference to American views. The lyrics do not at all finger a particular nation, but instead can be interpreted to undertake ALL those nations that have been involved in war. I'm sure RA are interpreting the entire world's views, not just one nation. This is why this song is so accessible. An Anglo-American may listen to these lyrics and take heart, just as much as a Muslim in Iraq may do.
To only assume "American" is quite naive.
Thanks for your analysis. As a patriotic American I was sort of offended at how it seemed to degrade soldiers, who I do think are deserving of our praise and gratitude, in general. But, if I think of this song in the context of the greater world conflict, I can realize its relevance and try to learn something from int instead of just being offended.
Thanks for your analysis. As a patriotic American I was sort of offended at how it seemed to degrade soldiers, who I do think are deserving of our praise and gratitude, in general. But, if I think of this song in the context of the greater world conflict, I can realize its relevance and try to learn something from int instead of just being offended.
This song is meant to be pointed towards the american troops you do know... watch the video to it, it has many refferences to america and at one point an upside down american flag sure the views can be used to any nation but this particular song was written about america
This song is meant to be pointed towards the american troops you do know... watch the video to it, it has many refferences to america and at one point an upside down american flag sure the views can be used to any nation but this particular song was written about america
I agree with "the realliam". Yes the music video does show the song viewed from more of an american perspective and has two scenes of American flags, but maybe it's only enforcing the idea of the flag in general. The lyrics mention nothing about America specifically.
I agree with "the realliam". Yes the music video does show the song viewed from more of an american perspective and has two scenes of American flags, but maybe it's only enforcing the idea of the flag in general. The lyrics mention nothing about America specifically.