There Is a War
Unveiling Societal Conflicts: Leonard Cohen's Poetic Commentary
Lyrics
There is a war between the rich and poor
There is a conflict between the wealthy and the impoverished.
A war between the man and the woman
There is a battle between men and women.
There is a war between the ones who say there is a war
There is a disagreement between those acknowledging the war's existence and those denying it.
And the ones who say there isn't
Conflict exists between those who affirm a war and those who deny it.
Why don't you come on back to the war, that's right, get in it
An invitation to actively participate in the war, urging involvement.
Why don't you come on back to the war, it's just beginning
The war is in its early stages; an encouragement to join before it escalates.
Well I live here with a woman and a child
Living with a woman and child induces nervousness due to the prevailing situation.
The situation makes me kind of nervous
The circumstance creates anxiety or unease.
Yes, I rise up from her arms, she says "I guess you call this love"
Rising from the woman's arms, love is described as a form of service.
I call it service
Love is equated with service, suggesting a self-sacrificial aspect.
Why don't you come on back to the war, don't be a tourist
Encouragement to actively engage in the war, discouraging a passive or tourist-like approach.
Why don't you come on back to the war, before it hurts us
Joining the war is advocated before it causes harm.
Why don't you come on back to the war, let's all get nervous
A call for collective nervousness, possibly emphasizing shared responsibility.
You cannot stand what I've become
Others disapprove of the speaker's transformation.
You much prefer the gentleman I was before
Preference for the speaker's past self, emphasizing a perceived decline.
I was so easy to defeat, I was so easy to control
The speaker was easily defeated and controlled in the past.
I didn't even know there was a war
The speaker was oblivious to the existence of the war.
Why don't you come on back to the war, don't be embarrassed
Encouragement to return to the war without embarrassment.
Why don't you come on back to the war, you can still get married
Despite involvement in the war, there is still an opportunity for marriage.
There is a war between the rich and poor
Reiteration of the war between the rich and poor.
A war between the man and the woman
Reiteration of the war between men and women.
There is a war between the left and right
New dimensions of the war are introduced: left vs. right, black vs. white.
A war between the black and white
Expanding the war to include opposing elements of society.
A war between the odd and the even
Additional dimensions of conflict: odd vs. even.
Why don't you come on back to the war, pick up your tiny burden
Encouragement to return to the war, emphasizing personal responsibility.
Why don't you come on back to the war, let's all get even
Advocacy for equality and balance, urging reconciliation and leveling differences.
Why don't you come on back to the war, can't you hear me speaking?
A direct plea to return to the war, underscoring the urgency of the message.
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