This could be a great peace song, if everyone would listen to it. But that's not realistic.
I think that's really what he was trying to do with it though -- "Who will say this far, no further, Oh lord, if I die today?" -- who else will stop it but one man, believing in his power to change someone's mind through a song? To relay the message from the fallen soldiers, "Time to lay God's rifle down." He says it perfectly, and one can only wish people in power would listen and heed his words.
This could be a great peace song, if everyone would listen to it. But that's not realistic.
I think that's really what he was trying to do with it though -- "Who will say this far, no further, Oh lord, if I die today?" -- who else will stop it but one man, believing in his power to change someone's mind through a song? To relay the message from the fallen soldiers, "Time to lay God's rifle down." He says it perfectly, and one can only wish people in power would listen and heed his words.