I think this song is about the clash between the West and the Islamic Middle East. "As the waves crash in on the western shore the wind blows fierce from the east" is about the terrorist attacks on the West and the extreme and fierce fundamentalism of Islam (from the East). "Where are the words to answer when you talk that way" is a reference to the helplessness of meaningful dialogue with extreme fundamentalists who are not interested in dialogue but mere adherence to their faith.
Ultimately, this song is about the clash between values of Western liberal tolerance and extreme religious intolerance. As someone said, "one can tolerate anything other than the intolerant".
I think this song is about the clash between the West and the Islamic Middle East. "As the waves crash in on the western shore the wind blows fierce from the east" is about the terrorist attacks on the West and the extreme and fierce fundamentalism of Islam (from the East). "Where are the words to answer when you talk that way" is a reference to the helplessness of meaningful dialogue with extreme fundamentalists who are not interested in dialogue but mere adherence to their faith.
Ultimately, this song is about the clash between values of Western liberal tolerance and extreme religious intolerance. As someone said, "one can tolerate anything other than the intolerant".