It's interesting to listen to this song and read these comments as I am an American soldier currently deployed to Iraq, the place that several commenters have opined this song may be written about. I just downloaded the album tonight while at an MWR wi-fi hotspot on our FOB.
The first thing that needs to be said that hasn't yet been pointed out is that "Survivor Guilt" is something that happens to people, particularly soldiers, who experience a traumatic situation such as a buddy's death in combat. People with survivor guilt find fault with themselves, believing that their survival was a mistake that may have resulted in the traumatic event. "Joe wasn't supposed to have gone on that patrol. It should have been me. He's dead because I didn't go on that patrol."
McIlrath is clearly talking about war in the Middle East. Folded flags and Purple Hearts symbolize the casualties of war. The song's protagonist seems to be a fallen soldier, demanding an explanation of the cause that sent him to his grave. A cause he once believed in. McIlrath claims we are engaged in war against an artificial enemy, invented to line cowards' pockets. By giving voice to this fallen soldier, McIlrath gives voice to his own survivor guilt.
I've never completely agreed with Rise Against's politics. I don't fully agree with all of the claims McIlrath makes in this song, having personally spent nearly two years of my life on the ground in Iraq, working closely with Iraqi citizens. Nevertheless, I've always been a fan of McIlrath's passion and eloquence. His words are powerful, and this is another great RA song.
My favorite line from this one: "I fought with courage to preserve not my way of life but yours." Amen, Tim.
It's interesting to listen to this song and read these comments as I am an American soldier currently deployed to Iraq, the place that several commenters have opined this song may be written about. I just downloaded the album tonight while at an MWR wi-fi hotspot on our FOB.
The first thing that needs to be said that hasn't yet been pointed out is that "Survivor Guilt" is something that happens to people, particularly soldiers, who experience a traumatic situation such as a buddy's death in combat. People with survivor guilt find fault with themselves, believing that their survival was a mistake that may have resulted in the traumatic event. "Joe wasn't supposed to have gone on that patrol. It should have been me. He's dead because I didn't go on that patrol."
McIlrath is clearly talking about war in the Middle East. Folded flags and Purple Hearts symbolize the casualties of war. The song's protagonist seems to be a fallen soldier, demanding an explanation of the cause that sent him to his grave. A cause he once believed in. McIlrath claims we are engaged in war against an artificial enemy, invented to line cowards' pockets. By giving voice to this fallen soldier, McIlrath gives voice to his own survivor guilt.
I've never completely agreed with Rise Against's politics. I don't fully agree with all of the claims McIlrath makes in this song, having personally spent nearly two years of my life on the ground in Iraq, working closely with Iraqi citizens. Nevertheless, I've always been a fan of McIlrath's passion and eloquence. His words are powerful, and this is another great RA song.
My favorite line from this one: "I fought with courage to preserve not my way of life but yours." Amen, Tim.