These are incredibly intelligent and powerful lyrics.
The “para-success” may be the capture of Saddam Hussein, (which really did nothing in the fight against “terrorism”), and the line “a feeling like you've been here before” is referring to the Vietnam war, which was another controversial war which many believed to be unnecessary.
The “board of trustees” is the US government.
“Blowing us back to the seventies” is again referencing the war in Vietnam, as is “Ride of the Valkyries” which was played in a famous bombing scene in Apocalypse Now (which was an anti-Vietnam war film).
Comparing the Iraq war to the Vietnam is the major theme of this song, and Andrew Bird’s lyrics are very wry, but at the same time very sad.
These are incredibly intelligent and powerful lyrics. The “para-success” may be the capture of Saddam Hussein, (which really did nothing in the fight against “terrorism”), and the line “a feeling like you've been here before” is referring to the Vietnam war, which was another controversial war which many believed to be unnecessary. The “board of trustees” is the US government. “Blowing us back to the seventies” is again referencing the war in Vietnam, as is “Ride of the Valkyries” which was played in a famous bombing scene in Apocalypse Now (which was an anti-Vietnam war film). Comparing the Iraq war to the Vietnam is the major theme of this song, and Andrew Bird’s lyrics are very wry, but at the same time very sad.