R.E.M.
Awakening Echoes: Ruminating on War, Myth, and Ecstasy
Lyrics
Soldier, soldier what's it's like
Questioning a soldier about the experience of waking up daily to the reality of war.
To wake up every day and see the light
Reflecting on the daily routine of witnessing the light amidst the hardships of war.
The gas, your share, the burning smell in the air
Describing the effects of war, including gas, division of resources, and the pervasive burning smell.
The vision with no tele there
Referencing a lack of distant communication tools during war, leading to a disconnected vision.
The glory, you saw, the uncut footage oh so raw
Recalling the mixed experiences of glory and witnessing unfiltered, raw footage of war.
Tell me how to break the law
Asking for guidance on breaking the law, perhaps questioning the morality of war.
I'm floating in ecstasy
Expressing a feeling of ecstasy while being surrounded by decay and destruction.
In the middle of this rotting sea
Metaphorically being in the middle of a decaying sea, highlighting the desolation of war.
Wake me up
An appeal to be awakened, possibly from a numb or detached state induced by war.
Strip my skin
Metaphorically, a request to be emotionally exposed or vulnerable.
Shake me from my R.E.M.
A desire to be shaken from a state of Rapid Eye Movement (R.E.M.), possibly symbolizing a dreamlike detachment.
I don't know what I've been told
Expressing uncertainty about information received, possibly related to the military.
That if you stand in the fire you won't get cold
Questioning the notion that facing danger (fire) will not have consequences.
I read the papers but they all lie
Distrust in media, suggesting they provide deceptive information about deaths in war.
About why all these people are needlessly dying
Questioning the reasons behind unnecessary deaths during war.
The heat, the myth, the men in suits led adrift
Describing the impact of war, involving heat, myths, and powerful individuals losing their way.
The pigs led to the slaughter
Metaphorically portraying people as pigs led to slaughter, emphasizing vulnerability.
The rain, you were, standing right on top of her
Recalling a moment in the rain, possibly symbolizing sadness or despair.
Tell me how to be so sure
Seeking guidance on how to be certain in the midst of uncertainty.
I'm floating in ecstasy
Repeating the feeling of ecstasy in the midst of decay, possibly highlighting internal conflict.
In the middle of this rotting sea
Continuing the metaphor of being surrounded by a decaying sea.
Wake me up
Reiterating the desire to be awakened from a detached state.
Strip my skin
Repeating the metaphor of stripping away emotional layers.
Shake me from my R.E.M.
Repeating the desire to be shaken from a dreamlike state.
I don't know what I've been told
Reiterating uncertainty about information received, particularly related to the consequences of facing danger.
That if you stand in the fire you won't get cold
Repeating the idea that standing in the metaphorical fire won't bring consequences.
And I pretend to know
Acknowledging a pretense of knowledge about the aftermath of certain events, possibly related to war.
What happens when the sun goes down
Expressing uncertainty about what happens after significant events, such as the sun going down.
And we pretend to show
Highlighting a pretense of displaying a narcissistic form of sympathy towards others.
A narcissistic kind of sympathy
Admitting to a pretense of understanding the emotional aftermath when the sun goes down.
I pretend to know
Repeating the pretense of knowing what happens during significant events.
What happens when the sun goes down
Repeating uncertainty about what happens when the sun goes down.
And we pretend to show
Repeating the pretense of displaying a narcissistic form of sympathy towards others.
A narcissistic kind of sympathy
Repeating a pretense of understanding the emotional aftermath when the sun goes down.
Break these chains and let me be
An appeal to break free from constraints and experience liberation.
The dogs of war are after me
Mentioning the metaphorical pursuit of freedom being hindered by the "dogs of war."
It can't be bought it can't be sold
Emphasizing the value of personal integrity, suggesting it cannot be compromised or traded.
If you stand in the fire you won't get cold
Reiterating the idea that facing challenges, represented by standing in the fire, will not bring negative consequences.
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