Story Behind The Song

I feel I've observed a certain kind of "hands off" approach to Bob Dylan on the part of many singer songwriters. My suspicion is that he's so deeply respected (feared?) that they're intimidated to declare themselves as following specifically in his foots

Song Description

see below

Lyrics

Well you tell us it's working,
that it's worth the expense
and the goal is protection
assistance, defense
the Iraqis are free
with a democracy
that functions to a greater or a lesser degree
they just need some more time attention and care
this war is eternal
but we're half the way there
we're fighting for freedom
we must persevere
our enemies and our allies
are explicitly clear:
but the mothers are screaming
as they search for their sons
and the men shake their fists
as they brandish their guns
they curse what we say
and they curse what we do
and some of it's made up
but a lot of it's true
they answer with bombs
with swords and attacks
with eye for eye justice
with treacherous acts
it's twisted and it's burning
it's out of control
their priceless antiquities
looted and stole
just living's a toil
and nobody's loyal
and the one building standing
is the Ministry of Oil...
Since most of the soldiers
with honor have served,
some mode of respect
I believe is deserved
but instead they go digging
for the armor they need
and the ceiling's collapsing
when they reach Walter-Reed
their bodies are broken
they're wounded and burned
and if they're not dead
they just might be returned
they're tortured by nightmares
with pain and with guilt
for the deeds that they've done
and the blood that they spilt
they find themselves homeless
with doubt and regret
with families in trouble
with mountains of debt
so the words in your speeches
don't reflect what is real
what goes on in your minds
and the way that you feel...
Well you tell us it's working
that it's worth the expense
we've endured a few pitfalls
unexpected events
but here's my conclusion
from the place where I stand
is everything's going
EXACTLY as planned
to bankrupt the country
in spirit and coin
either shut up and f*** off
or sign up and join
and accept the collapse
of the nation's ideals
the monarch decrees
the plebian kneels
can the government act without
cause or restraint?
Are the people too spineless
to lodge a complaint?
Could it be that they're selfish
they're tired and harrassed?
All they want is a bargain
for a gallon of gas?
I think it's disgusting
by now you know why
you would do well to remember
we all have to die
when it's over, my soul
will ascend to the sky
and if there is hell below
may forever you fry

c 2008 black bodhisattva prod.