Story Behind The Song
I thought of the concept for this song when I heard that the suicide and desertion rate in the Iraq war was at least twice as high as in any previous U.S. conflict. I know people who've been sent back 2 or 3 times, and are totally worn out. I wondered w
Song Description
A true-believer soldier finds himself questioning his purpose on the front lines. He's depressed, and feeling betrayed, and having suicidal thoughts, which conflicts with his feelings of duty.
| Song Length |
5:46 |
Genre |
R & B - Funk, Blues - Modern |
| Tempo |
Medium Fast (131 - 150) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Worried, Miserable |
Subject |
Doom, Numbness |
| Similar Artists |
George Clinton, Sly And The Family Stone |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Day Of The Dead
Forty days in the sand
Will surely test anyone?s faith
In the desert my life is a shadow
And I am just a targeted man
Sand in my eyes is gritty
At least it blocks all the tears
Taste in my mouth is bitter
It?s the day of the dead in fear city
I?m a Humvee cop in a drive-by war
Skippin? stones in the sand
I love my country but I know it?s true
The people out to kill me love theirs too
I?ll stay as long as you ask me
But let me make it perfectly clear
You broke your end of the bargain
And I really don?t know why I?m here
Wish that I could run away
Nobody every wanted me here
Instead I survive in the day of the dead
A minute at a time in the city of fear
There?s no such thing as a ?civil? war
An honest man can?t be a liar?s whore
You won?t find peace at the end of a gun
On the day of the dead there?s nowhere to run
Feel like the means to an end
Getting farther and farther from sight
A college-educated bomb in flight
That might just target itself, my friend
Pain in my heart like lightning
Wish that I could wish it away
Might makes right in this desolate place
It?s the night of the dead and it?s frightening
Random violence grows like cancer
Spreads like the Mideast Flu
In the desert I pray for an answer
And I really don?t know what to do
Ask a hero how it feels to be one
He?ll tell you it?s a thankless job
Battle Hymn songs of glory
Are only sung by angry mobs
Silently I?m holding back
Tomorrow?s tears today
I try to survive the day of the dead
From outside & inside I am under attack
There?s no such thing as a ?civil? war
Feels like we?ve all been here before
I?ll make sure I survive to get back home
On the day after the day of the dead?
I may implode
-- Steve Pasek, ©2006