Lyrics
Oh my name it is nothin'
Expression of insignificance or humility about the speaker's name.
My age it means less
Downplays the importance of the speaker's age.
The country I come from
Identification of the speaker's origin as the Midwest.
Is called the Midwest
Names the country as the Midwest, possibly a metaphor for the entire United States.
I's taught and brought up there
The speaker was taught the laws of the Midwest and raised to follow them.
The laws to abide
Emphasis on abiding by the laws of the land.
And that land that I live in
The land the speaker lives in is claimed to have God on its side.
Has God on its side.
Assertion that the speaker's country is divinely favored.
Oh the history books tell it
Reference to historical accounts told in history books.
They tell it so well
Recognition of the effectiveness of historical storytelling.
The cavalries charged
Depiction of the cavalry charging and the resulting death of the Indians, emphasizing the brutality of historical events.
The Indians fell
-The cavalries charged
-The Indians died
-Oh the country was young
Reflection on the country's youth with a continued claim of having God on its side.
With God on its side.
-Oh the Spanish-American
Reflection on the Spanish-American War and the Civil War, noting heroes with guns and God on their side.
War had its day
-And the Civil War too
-Was soon laid away
-And the names of the heroes
-I's made to memorize
-With guns in their hands
-And God on their side.
-Oh the First World War, boys
Reflection on the First World War, expressing uncertainty about the reasons for fighting but accepting it with pride due to God's support.
It closed out its fate
-The reason for fighting
-I never got straight
-But I learned to accept it
-Accept it with pride
-For you don't count the dead
-When God's on your side.
-When the Second World War
Reflection on the forgiveness of Germans after the Second World War, acknowledging their crimes but stating they now have God on their side.
Came to an end
-We forgave the Germans
-And we were friends
-Though they murdered six million
-In the ovens they fried
-The Germans now too
-Have God on their side.
-I've learned to hate Russians
Expression of hatred toward Russians and the willingness to fight them if another war occurs, all justified by having God on the speaker's side.
All through my whole life
-If another war starts
-It's them we must fight
-To hate them and fear them
-To run and to hide
-And accept it all bravely
-With God on my side.
-But now we got weapons
Acknowledgment of the destructive power of weapons and the unquestioning obedience to authority when God is perceived to be on one's side.
Of the chemical dust
-If fire them we're forced to
-Then fire them we must
-One push of the button
-And a shot the world wide
-And you never ask questions
-When God's on your side.
-In a many dark hour
Reflection on Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus and the speaker's inability to decide whether Judas had God on his side.
I've been thinkin' about this
-That Jesus Christ
-Was betrayed by a kiss
-But I can't think for you
-You'll have to decide
-Whether Judas Iscariot
-Had God on his side.
-So now as I'm leavin'
Expression of weariness and confusion as the speaker leaves, questioning whether God is truly on their side to prevent the next war.
I'm weary as Hell
-The confusion I'm feelin'
-Ain't no tongue can tell
-The words fill my head
-And fall to the floor
-If God's on our side
-He'll stop the next war.
Hope that God's intervention will prevent future wars.
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