02-17-19
There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. – Sun Tzu
Written nearly 14 years ago, Josh Ritter created one of this generation’s most beautiful protest songs. Built out of the frustration with the United States involvement with wars in the middle east, Josh paints a beautiful picture of heavenly figures arguing on how to help, if at all.
This concept creates such a powerful message of frustration. Frustration in a system and governance that was entrusted with care and protection of our nation yet has continued to engage in fruitless engagements only to pad the coffers of the ultra-wealthy. No matter which political party one is affiliated with, I have consistently heard this message of broken trust echoed.
I think this is where the concept of reliance vs. trust. We do more than rely on our country, and our leaders to, well to lead; and in doing so, we trust that they ultimately are working for the betterment of our country as a whole. If all we did were rely on them, it would be simple enough to replace them; however, the continued abuse has led to breaking our trust with the entire system. It’s hard to know where to build from that.
Ritter seems to be less concerned with the moral turpitude of our leaders, and more focused on the general security and safety of our country. The U.S. is the Girl in the War, and as far as he’s concerned if those at the helm can’t find a way to help the country, “they can go to hell.”
As a side note, the YouTube video provided is not the best quality nor the best representation of the song, it comes to us by way of a 2006 performance for the Center for American Progress that Josh was asked to participate in. It was a poignant moment in America and American politics, it said a lot for him to be in Washington D.C. performing for the people in that room and play this song specifically. This was the first time I remember hearing Josh Ritter, and the words he opened this song with will stay with me, especially whenever listening to it.
Lyrics:
Peter said to Paul, “You know, all those words we wrote
Are just the rules of the game and the rules are the first to go
But now talking to God is Laurel begging Hardy for a gun
I got a girl in the war, man I wonder what it is we done”
Paul said to Peter, “You got to rock yourself a little harder
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire”
“But I got a girl in the war, Paul, the only thing I know to do
Is turn up the music and pray that she makes it through”
Because the keys to the kingdom got lost inside the kingdom
And the angels fly around in there, but we can’t see them
I got a girl in the war, Paul, I know that they can hear me yell
If they can’t find a way to help her, they can go to hell
If they can’t find a way to help her, they can go to hell”
Paul said to Peter, “You got to rock yourself a little harder
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire”
“But I got a girl in the war, Paul, her eyes are like champagne
They sparkle, bubble over and, in the morning, all you got is rain
They sparkle, bubble over and, in the morning, all you got is rain
They sparkle, bubble over and, in the morning, all you got is rain”