As Makeshift As We Are Lyrics

Lyric discussion by mhare 

Cover art for As Makeshift As We Are lyrics by Tragically Hip, The

This song strikes me as being about war, particularly the idea of sharing the experience with other people.

"You do the combat math, I’m the war artist" suggests two people in the same situation, with differing roles. "Lead never leaves your system no matter who you are"; a frank way of saying that every man who puts on a uniform to fight is on the same level as his fellow soldiers, class, race, etc. doesn't matter when you're in a deadly combat zone. I think it's about a lot of things, but that's a current I see running through.