War Games
Childhood's Battle: War Games and the Price of Play
Lyrics
Of course you may
Expressing permission for the person to go and play.
Go out and play
Encouraging the individual to engage in recreational activities.
But darling, please play gently
Requesting the person to play gently and avoid causing harm.
Don't stay out late
Advising not to stay out late, with concern for the individual's well-being.
Be home for tea
Asking the person to be home for tea to alleviate worry.
Or you know I'm bound to worry
Expressing the likelihood of worry if the advice is not followed.
Sticks and stones
Referring to traditional children's phrases about the consequences of actions.
For swords and guns
Highlighting the contrast between harmless toys and more serious items associated with conflict.
The harmless toys of childhood
Describing typical childhood toys associated with innocence.
You play at fighting
Pointing out the act of simulating combat in play.
You learn to run
Suggesting that engaging in war games teaches the skill of running away.
Always playing war games
Emphasizing the recurring theme of playing war games in childhood.
Of course you must
Acknowledging the inevitability of joining peers in certain activities.
Go and join the boys
Suggesting participation in activities typically associated with boys.
Fighting over the water
Describing boys engaging in conflict over a resource, possibly water.
But write to me
Encouraging communication through letter writing while being away.
Tenderly
Requesting affectionate and caring communication due to concerns.
For you know I'm bound to worry
Reiterating the worry if communication is not maintained.
Sticks and stones
Recalling the childhood adage about the impact of words.
For swords and guns
Repeating the contrast between harmless toys and more serious tools.
The harmless toys of childhood
Reiterating the innocence associated with childhood toys.
You play at fighting
Highlighting the cycle of playing at fighting in childhood.
You learn to run
Emphasizing the learned skill of running away during play.
Always playing war games
Reiterating the theme of playing war games as a constant in childhood.
A letter came
Announcing the arrival of a letter from authoritative figures.
From the powers that be
Describing the impact of the words in the received letter.
It's words, they tore right through me
Expressing the emotional impact of the words on the receiver.
My darling boy
Addressing the recipient as a beloved son.
My only son
Acknowledging the validity of the worry expressed earlier.
I was right to worry
Reaffirming the correctness of the initial concerns about the child.
Sticks and stones
Reiterating the childhood adage regarding the impact of words.
For swords and guns
Emphasizing the contrast between harmless childhood toys and more serious tools.
The harmless toys of childhood
Repeating the idea of innocent childhood play with harmless toys.
You play at fighting
Highlighting the recurring theme of playing at fighting in childhood.
You learn to run
Emphasizing the learned skill of running away during play.
Always playing war games
Reiterating the constant presence of war games in childhood.
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