I see this as being (obviously) from the perspective of a soldier fighting in a war overseas (could be any war, really), and it's a view that I feel reflects that of most of the people I know who are in the military. They go over to fight a war because they're told to, but the enlist in the first place out of a love, on some level, for country. You don't sign up for voluntary military service if you feel ambivalent towards your country...there are a thousand other ways to make $30,000 for college, regardless of what the Army tells you.
Anyway, this narrator realizes that his death will result in broken hearts at home, and while he may love his country enough to give his life for it, his country may not love him back with the same fervor. He realizes that there is some truth in the age-old talk of going to fight so his grandchildren won't have to, or so that others back at home won't have to in that particular conflict, but he also realizes that many people won't really care.
<soapbox> I see that as the state of things today. We say we support the troops, regardless of political views or our views on the war, but when the vets come home (or when the vet comes home in a box and the family has to deal with it), I think most people just expect them to get over it and move on with every day life. Never mind the fact that these vets have seen war up close and in all its naked grittiness, or that these vets have done things that their MBA neighbours will never, ever have to experience...society doesn't want to be bothered with veterans who can't sleep at night because they keep seeing the face of the suicide-bomber kid they had to kill in self-defense.
Do you really care about the soldiers who fight? Never mind whether or not you agree with the reasoning for the war. Let's look at the real issue: do you REALLY support the troops, or are you just mouthing the words? They volunteered to serve so you don't have to be drafted. If you really care, why not write letters to those posted overseas. Send them a care package or something. If you see soldiers at a restaurant, offer to buy them a meal. Volunteer at the VA. Take time to listen to their stories. Heck, even if you never, ever do anything else, just thank a veteran for their service and shake their hand. Trust me, they will appreciate it a lot. I try to do that whenever I can, to just say thank you. It's heartbreaking how many vets have replied to my thanks with "You know, nobody ever says that to me." </soapbox>
actually i don't think its obvious that he's speaking from the perspective of someone at war. if you listen to a lot of wilco you'll see that jeff tweedy sings a lot about complex feelings and intimate relationships but not so much about political or idealogical ideas.
here's my analysis:
this song is about how relationships progress and the fighting is just a metaphor for committment.
the character is in a relationship with a woman and he is willing to do anything for her because he vowed to do so. the started out in love and said he would of course do anything...
actually i don't think its obvious that he's speaking from the perspective of someone at war. if you listen to a lot of wilco you'll see that jeff tweedy sings a lot about complex feelings and intimate relationships but not so much about political or idealogical ideas.
here's my analysis:
this song is about how relationships progress and the fighting is just a metaphor for committment.
the character is in a relationship with a woman and he is willing to do anything for her because he vowed to do so. the started out in love and said he would of course do anything for his love. but now the love doesn't exist yet he nevertheless feels the need to be true to himself and his word. in other words, in his current stage of life, jeff tweedy feels a greater pull toward his commitments than he does to his feelings. whether this is in regard to his country of his wife is not really important - its about himself and how he is changing.
There's nothing to suggest a war overseas. In the Civil War a person who had been drafted Could (for $300) buy his way out of the draft. I think this is the underlying reality between the songs narrator and the one he's sings about. The love isn't romantic in anyway but, Like Jesus showing the greatest love is that a man should lay down his life for his fellow man. I could be wrong, but I think lines like I was paid, and remorse or regret in the fairness of our trade. There was nothing fair since only the rich...
There's nothing to suggest a war overseas. In the Civil War a person who had been drafted Could (for $300) buy his way out of the draft. I think this is the underlying reality between the songs narrator and the one he's sings about. The love isn't romantic in anyway but, Like Jesus showing the greatest love is that a man should lay down his life for his fellow man. I could be wrong, but I think lines like I was paid, and remorse or regret in the fairness of our trade. There was nothing fair since only the rich had the choice to buy a substitute to go to war. Really sad song and interesting perspective. I'm old (54) and a history teacher, so I now a bit about that war, and I would bet the farm that Mr. Tweedy nows whereof he sings. Great song.
I see this as being (obviously) from the perspective of a soldier fighting in a war overseas (could be any war, really), and it's a view that I feel reflects that of most of the people I know who are in the military. They go over to fight a war because they're told to, but the enlist in the first place out of a love, on some level, for country. You don't sign up for voluntary military service if you feel ambivalent towards your country...there are a thousand other ways to make $30,000 for college, regardless of what the Army tells you.
Anyway, this narrator realizes that his death will result in broken hearts at home, and while he may love his country enough to give his life for it, his country may not love him back with the same fervor. He realizes that there is some truth in the age-old talk of going to fight so his grandchildren won't have to, or so that others back at home won't have to in that particular conflict, but he also realizes that many people won't really care.
<soapbox> I see that as the state of things today. We say we support the troops, regardless of political views or our views on the war, but when the vets come home (or when the vet comes home in a box and the family has to deal with it), I think most people just expect them to get over it and move on with every day life. Never mind the fact that these vets have seen war up close and in all its naked grittiness, or that these vets have done things that their MBA neighbours will never, ever have to experience...society doesn't want to be bothered with veterans who can't sleep at night because they keep seeing the face of the suicide-bomber kid they had to kill in self-defense.
Do you really care about the soldiers who fight? Never mind whether or not you agree with the reasoning for the war. Let's look at the real issue: do you REALLY support the troops, or are you just mouthing the words? They volunteered to serve so you don't have to be drafted. If you really care, why not write letters to those posted overseas. Send them a care package or something. If you see soldiers at a restaurant, offer to buy them a meal. Volunteer at the VA. Take time to listen to their stories. Heck, even if you never, ever do anything else, just thank a veteran for their service and shake their hand. Trust me, they will appreciate it a lot. I try to do that whenever I can, to just say thank you. It's heartbreaking how many vets have replied to my thanks with "You know, nobody ever says that to me." </soapbox>
Anyway, I love Wilco.
actually i don't think its obvious that he's speaking from the perspective of someone at war. if you listen to a lot of wilco you'll see that jeff tweedy sings a lot about complex feelings and intimate relationships but not so much about political or idealogical ideas. here's my analysis: this song is about how relationships progress and the fighting is just a metaphor for committment. the character is in a relationship with a woman and he is willing to do anything for her because he vowed to do so. the started out in love and said he would of course do anything...
actually i don't think its obvious that he's speaking from the perspective of someone at war. if you listen to a lot of wilco you'll see that jeff tweedy sings a lot about complex feelings and intimate relationships but not so much about political or idealogical ideas. here's my analysis: this song is about how relationships progress and the fighting is just a metaphor for committment. the character is in a relationship with a woman and he is willing to do anything for her because he vowed to do so. the started out in love and said he would of course do anything for his love. but now the love doesn't exist yet he nevertheless feels the need to be true to himself and his word. in other words, in his current stage of life, jeff tweedy feels a greater pull toward his commitments than he does to his feelings. whether this is in regard to his country of his wife is not really important - its about himself and how he is changing.
There's nothing to suggest a war overseas. In the Civil War a person who had been drafted Could (for $300) buy his way out of the draft. I think this is the underlying reality between the songs narrator and the one he's sings about. The love isn't romantic in anyway but, Like Jesus showing the greatest love is that a man should lay down his life for his fellow man. I could be wrong, but I think lines like I was paid, and remorse or regret in the fairness of our trade. There was nothing fair since only the rich...
There's nothing to suggest a war overseas. In the Civil War a person who had been drafted Could (for $300) buy his way out of the draft. I think this is the underlying reality between the songs narrator and the one he's sings about. The love isn't romantic in anyway but, Like Jesus showing the greatest love is that a man should lay down his life for his fellow man. I could be wrong, but I think lines like I was paid, and remorse or regret in the fairness of our trade. There was nothing fair since only the rich had the choice to buy a substitute to go to war. Really sad song and interesting perspective. I'm old (54) and a history teacher, so I now a bit about that war, and I would bet the farm that Mr. Tweedy nows whereof he sings. Great song.