I'll go, I'll go, I'll go, I'll go for you
I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight for you
I'll kill, I'll kill, I'll kill, I'll kill for you
I will, I will, I will

I'll go, I'll go, I'll go, I'll go for you
I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight for you
I'll die, I'll die, I'll die, I'll die for you
I will, I will, I will

And if I die, I'll die, I'll die alone
On some forgotten hill, abandoned by the mill
All my blood will spring and spill
I'll crash the air and be still

You'll wait with the star from a dream
And know that I am gone
You'll feel it in your heart
But not for very long

You'll rise each day as planned
Your will is your command
And stand each Sunday
A hymnal steady in your hand

And you'll sing to yourself
The rising falling melody
That you could never read
Without the choirs' lead
Still alone and lost in deep
And your soul will not be free

I will go, I will go, I will go
And in wars waters I will wade
And I will know if I remorse or regret
The fairness of our trade

For you to live, I took your place
A deal was made and I was paid
And the goal as I was told
Was a place where my body could be laid

And we will steal your life
And I own in better homes surrounded
By your peers, without suffering or fear
Grandchildren far and near
And none will shed a tear
For the love no longer here

I'll go, I'll go, I'll go, I'll go for you
I will
I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight, I'll fight for you
I will, I will, I will

I'll kill, I'll kill, I'll kill, I'll kill for you
I will
I'll die, I'll die, I'll die, I'll die for you
I will, I will, I will

And if I die, I'll die, I'll die alone like Jesus
On a cross
My faith cannot by tossed
And my life will not be lost
If my love comes across


Lyrics submitted by jj_jac555, edited by tim03

I'll Fight Lyrics as written by Jeffrey Tweedy

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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I'll Fight song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    I see this as being (obviously) from the perspective of a soldier fighting in a war overseas (could be any war, really), and it's a view that I feel reflects that of most of the people I know who are in the military. They go over to fight a war because they're told to, but the enlist in the first place out of a love, on some level, for country. You don't sign up for voluntary military service if you feel ambivalent towards your country...there are a thousand other ways to make $30,000 for college, regardless of what the Army tells you.

    Anyway, this narrator realizes that his death will result in broken hearts at home, and while he may love his country enough to give his life for it, his country may not love him back with the same fervor. He realizes that there is some truth in the age-old talk of going to fight so his grandchildren won't have to, or so that others back at home won't have to in that particular conflict, but he also realizes that many people won't really care.

    <soapbox> I see that as the state of things today. We say we support the troops, regardless of political views or our views on the war, but when the vets come home (or when the vet comes home in a box and the family has to deal with it), I think most people just expect them to get over it and move on with every day life. Never mind the fact that these vets have seen war up close and in all its naked grittiness, or that these vets have done things that their MBA neighbours will never, ever have to experience...society doesn't want to be bothered with veterans who can't sleep at night because they keep seeing the face of the suicide-bomber kid they had to kill in self-defense.

    Do you really care about the soldiers who fight? Never mind whether or not you agree with the reasoning for the war. Let's look at the real issue: do you REALLY support the troops, or are you just mouthing the words? They volunteered to serve so you don't have to be drafted. If you really care, why not write letters to those posted overseas. Send them a care package or something. If you see soldiers at a restaurant, offer to buy them a meal. Volunteer at the VA. Take time to listen to their stories. Heck, even if you never, ever do anything else, just thank a veteran for their service and shake their hand. Trust me, they will appreciate it a lot. I try to do that whenever I can, to just say thank you. It's heartbreaking how many vets have replied to my thanks with "You know, nobody ever says that to me." </soapbox>

    Anyway, I love Wilco.

    NorthWriteron May 18, 2009   Link

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