The song is clear in a very unclear manner. It is most likely referring to night time images of a war. The referrences to history are pointing out that those who do not know thier history are doomed to repeat it. Falling flat on its own face isn't speaking of a particular battle but rather any and all wars in general. The "manuscript replica" line is referring to the way that each country or nation controls the flow of informations to its inhabitants and often only tells their side of the story
The song is clear in a very unclear manner. It is most likely referring to night time images of a war. The referrences to history are pointing out that those who do not know thier history are doomed to repeat it. Falling flat on its own face isn't speaking of a particular battle but rather any and all wars in general. The "manuscript replica" line is referring to the way that each country or nation controls the flow of informations to its inhabitants and often only tells their side of the story