There is no doubt that this song is an admonishment of the war in Iraq as well as George bush. At the same time it equally condemns the middle east philosophy.
first verse - we are back to a time pre-enlightenment. a world based on superstition and fear, this is true for the west as well as the east.
2nd verse - both sides have eager soldiers ready to defend their cause, they pray to their god and ready there weapons of death
bridge - there are many who follow that path of superstition and war but some of us see things differently, believing in more peaceful alternatives as well as not blindly following religion and superstitions. And we have to be careful about our different points of view as both sides will flog us for it.
chorus - Those of us that see things differently are forced to sit and watch the destruction proceed and can do nothing about it. If we try we will be broken down by both sides by not following in step.
3rd verse - perhaps the most telling. now it's come to this - our leaders give speeches to the masses that are not grounded in fact. rather they mislead us to serve "the" agenda. Both sides are both fighting in the name of their perceived god - Allah and Jesus (how many times has Bush rallied about God and religion and talked of a "crusade" "against the evil doers". So in that way both sides are like crusaders, but are in fact unholy for the death and destruction they bring.)
4th and 5th verse - the science line is also an interesting one , of which an entire paper could be written. Both sides are fueld by their religion and not by rational thought. Also, Bush's refusal to except science over religion (evolution?) This refusal to base their thinking in rational thought leaves them blinded. "they leave no child behind" is a direct assault on Bush, infamously known among other things for passing the No child left behind act which has taken almost as much critiscm as the war itself. In this is a paradox - the same people that claim to care and want to leave no child behind are the same ones that are casing death and destruction to innocent people and, in fact, leaving them behind. The next two lines of evil spirits and sheperds is another religious reference.
-Excellent song and my personal favorite off of the new album "Snakes and Arrows"
There is no doubt that this song is an admonishment of the war in Iraq as well as George bush. At the same time it equally condemns the middle east philosophy.
first verse - we are back to a time pre-enlightenment. a world based on superstition and fear, this is true for the west as well as the east.
2nd verse - both sides have eager soldiers ready to defend their cause, they pray to their god and ready there weapons of death
bridge - there are many who follow that path of superstition and war but some of us see things differently, believing in more peaceful alternatives as well as not blindly following religion and superstitions. And we have to be careful about our different points of view as both sides will flog us for it.
chorus - Those of us that see things differently are forced to sit and watch the destruction proceed and can do nothing about it. If we try we will be broken down by both sides by not following in step.
3rd verse - perhaps the most telling. now it's come to this - our leaders give speeches to the masses that are not grounded in fact. rather they mislead us to serve "the" agenda. Both sides are both fighting in the name of their perceived god - Allah and Jesus (how many times has Bush rallied about God and religion and talked of a "crusade" "against the evil doers". So in that way both sides are like crusaders, but are in fact unholy for the death and destruction they bring.)
4th and 5th verse - the science line is also an interesting one , of which an entire paper could be written. Both sides are fueld by their religion and not by rational thought. Also, Bush's refusal to except science over religion (evolution?) This refusal to base their thinking in rational thought leaves them blinded. "they leave no child behind" is a direct assault on Bush, infamously known among other things for passing the No child left behind act which has taken almost as much critiscm as the war itself. In this is a paradox - the same people that claim to care and want to leave no child behind are the same ones that are casing death and destruction to innocent people and, in fact, leaving them behind. The next two lines of evil spirits and sheperds is another religious reference.
-Excellent song and my personal favorite off of the new album "Snakes and Arrows"