History Will Teach Us Nothing Lyrics

Lyric discussion by dhdowning987 

Cover art for History Will Teach Us Nothing lyrics by Sting

Disclaimer: My love of history may bias this interpretation.

These lyrics betray a cynical view of history as merely a catalog of violence and failure, which we should forget if we want to progress as a humane species.

While true that history repeats itself, the song's message is that studying history will, itself, cause us to repeat it. We are better off ignoring the past, so as to create a world free from the script of earlier, flawed actions.

Rather than seek lessons from the experiences of the past, we should rely on reason and faith - logic (a recurring word throughout Sting's lyrics) and religion - two completely contradictory concepts. Thus, it's kind of a stupid song - I hate saying this because I am a huge fan of Sting and his music.

My Interpretation

@dhdowning987 I actually think he's referring more to us forgetting what was done to us in the past. Let's stop fighting about what we did to each other before and one on from this moment.

@dhdowning987 I am ok with your'e interpretation however, you can't call a song "stupid song"..