With God on Our Side
God's Shadow on History: Reflections on War and Faith
Lyrics
My name it is nothing, my age it means less
Expressing insignificance of name and age.
The country I come from is a part of the Free West
Identifying origin as part of the Free West.
I was taught and brought up there its laws to abide
Indicating upbringing to follow laws.
And that the land that I live in has God on its side
Stating belief in God's support for the land.
Oh the history books tell it, they tell it so well
Referring to historical narratives glorifying events.
The cavalries charged, the Indians fell
Describing cavalry-Indian conflict.
The cavalries charged, the Indians died
Repeating the conflict's outcome.
For the country was young with God on its side
Asserting divine favor for the young country.
Oh the first World War, it came and it went
Acknowledging the first World War.
The reason for fighting I never could get
Expressing uncertainty about the reason for the fight.
But I learned to accept it, accept it with pride
Accepting the situation with pride.
For you don't count the dead when God's on your side
Downplaying the importance of counting the dead.
And then the second World War, it came to an end
Reflecting on the end of the second World War.
We forgave the Germans and now we are friends
Mentioning forgiveness towards Germans, now friends.
Though they murdered six million, in the ovens they fried
Noting the heinous acts of the Germans in the Holocaust.
The Germans now, too, have God on their side
Suggesting even the Germans have God on their side now.
But now we have weapons of chemical dust
Introducing the possession of chemical weapons.
And if fire them we're forced to, why then fire them we must
Conveying readiness to use weapons if necessary.
One push of the button and a shot the worldwide
Highlighting the global impact of using such weapons.
And you never ask questions when God's on your side
Emphasizing unquestioning obedience in such situations.
Though many a long hour I've thought on this
Reflecting on the betrayal of Jesus Christ.
That Jesus Christ was betrayed by a kiss
Leaving the interpretation open for the listener to decide.
But I can't think for you, you will have to decide
Encouraging personal reflection and decision-making.
Whether Judas Iscariot had God on his side
Prompting contemplation on whether Judas had divine support.
And now as I leave you, I'm weary as hell
Expressing weariness and confusion.
The confusion I'm feelin', there ain't no tongue can tell
Describing indescribable confusion.
The words fill my head and drop to the floor
Conveying the overwhelming nature of thoughts.
That if God's on our side, he'll stop the next war.
Expressing a hope for divine intervention to prevent future wars.
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