The Song is definitely not about Poland (that would be Sabaton's other song: 40:1), not about the US specifially and only partially about the Battle of Monte Cassino.
It is about the allied campaign to retake Italy that took place along Highway 6 aka The Road to Rome, which led through mountainous terrain, culminated in the Battle of Monte Cassino and ended in the capture of Rome itself.
The campaign involved troops from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and resistance fighters from Poland, France and Italy; which is where the Song's title "Union" comes from along with verses such as
"Fight side by side,
many nations unite
...
we fight and die together"
and
"Under one banner,
as a unit we stand,
and united we fall".
The "united we fall" part of the last verse refers to the Battle of Monte Cassino (Jan 17 - May 18, 1944), which the allies won, but sustained heavy losses at when compared to the axis (55,000 vs. 20,000); who had hill-top advantage and months to prepare a defence.
So does the second part of the Song's title: Slopes of St. Benedict. St. Benedict was the founder of an abbey on top of Monte Cassino which, after being bombed by the US who mistakenly though it was being used by the axis, ironically actually started becoming used, quite effectively, by german paratroopers.
Although this prominence of Monte Cassino makes it seem that the entire song revolves around it, the opening verse
"As a turn of the tide,
it is our turn to rise"
and the closing verse
"Bringing the end to the slaughter.
Winds are changing
Head at north!"
Shows that it is only one aspect of the main theme: The turning-point of the war.
The Song is definitely not about Poland (that would be Sabaton's other song: 40:1), not about the US specifially and only partially about the Battle of Monte Cassino.
It is about the allied campaign to retake Italy that took place along Highway 6 aka The Road to Rome, which led through mountainous terrain, culminated in the Battle of Monte Cassino and ended in the capture of Rome itself.
The campaign involved troops from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and resistance fighters from Poland, France and Italy; which is where the Song's title "Union" comes from along with verses such as
"Fight side by side, many nations unite ... we fight and die together"
and
"Under one banner, as a unit we stand, and united we fall".
The "united we fall" part of the last verse refers to the Battle of Monte Cassino (Jan 17 - May 18, 1944), which the allies won, but sustained heavy losses at when compared to the axis (55,000 vs. 20,000); who had hill-top advantage and months to prepare a defence.
So does the second part of the Song's title: Slopes of St. Benedict. St. Benedict was the founder of an abbey on top of Monte Cassino which, after being bombed by the US who mistakenly though it was being used by the axis, ironically actually started becoming used, quite effectively, by german paratroopers.
Although this prominence of Monte Cassino makes it seem that the entire song revolves around it, the opening verse
"As a turn of the tide, it is our turn to rise"
and the closing verse
"Bringing the end to the slaughter. Winds are changing Head at north!"
Shows that it is only one aspect of the main theme: The turning-point of the war.
@AlexWhitmore pretty interesting analysis with solid references. Although, I sensed a condescending tone throughout. So, I give it a B- .
@AlexWhitmore pretty interesting analysis with solid references. Although, I sensed a condescending tone throughout. So, I give it a B- .