ChildrenofSodom
10-13-2008, 05:14 PM
New song by 3 Doors Down, called Citizen Soldier, made explicitly for a National Guard promotional campaign. Not a bad song musically, I think, but the lyrics are something to discuss.
Beyond the boundaries of your city’s lights
Stand the heroes waiting for your cries
So many times you did not bring this on yourself
When that moment finally comes, I’ll be there to help
And on that day when you need your brothers and sisters to care
I’ll be right here
Citizen soldiers holding the life of the ones that we guide from the dark of despair
Standing on guard for the ones that we’ve sheltered
We’ll always be ready because we will always be there
When there're people crying in the streets
When they're starving for a meal to eat
When they simply need a place to make their beds
Right here underneath my wing you can rest your head
On that day when you need your brothers and sisters to care
I'll be right here
Citizen soldiers holding the life of the ones that we guide from the dark of despair
Standing on guard for the ones that we've sheltered
We'll always be ready because we will always be there
Hope and pray that you never need me
But rest assured, I will not let you down
I walk beside you, but you may not see me
The strongest among you may not were a crown
On that day when you need your brothers and sisters to care
I'll be right here
On that day when you don't have the strength for the burden you bare
I'll be right here
Citizen soldiers holding the life of the ones that we guide from the dark of despair (Citizen soldiers)
Standing on guard for the ones that we've sheltered
We'll always be ready because we will always be there
Isnt it so romantic to thank that while we live peacefully in our own lives, we are being protected from the outside forces? Or, as George Orwell put it, People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Behind all of my anti-war sentiments, my rants against American imperialism, militarism, hegemony, and exploitation, there lies a sense of security. I find comfort in knowing that, while I do not support American ambitions into the third world for reasons of conquest and greed, I am assured by the knowledge that if I were to go overseas, and something were to happen to me, my death or capture would be avenged by the US military. If I went overseas, and was taken hostage or forced into a dangerous situation, the full force of the United States military and government backed my recovery efforts. Knowing that no matter where in the world, as soon as I step onto that American embassy, I have multi-trillion dollar millions protecting me from 'the bad guys.' This may be irrational, but it is assuring.
Similarly, isnt it nice to think that the national guard stands at the ready to help us in our time of need? They are there to protect us from foreign invaders, help us during times of natural disaster, provide us with food and shelter and protection from the elements. It is nice to believe that when we shout out in pain, begging for help, our military will coming marching to our aid.
But this is an unrealistic hope. In 2008, the national guard has been pulled from our own shores to the sands of Iraq, where they fight and die for a lie, for oil, for conquest. Veterans come home and are mistreated in hospitals, and many contributed to the multitudes of homeless. Poor, single mothers are thrown off welfare. Millions are left uninsured. People are dying on the operating table, unable to pay, or they work the rest of their life trying to repay their bills. People sleep in the streets, thousands drown to death in New Orleans. Where was the government then? We have been betrayed.
Beyond the boundaries of your city’s lights
Stand the heroes waiting for your cries
So many times you did not bring this on yourself
When that moment finally comes, I’ll be there to help
And on that day when you need your brothers and sisters to care
I’ll be right here
Citizen soldiers holding the life of the ones that we guide from the dark of despair
Standing on guard for the ones that we’ve sheltered
We’ll always be ready because we will always be there
When there're people crying in the streets
When they're starving for a meal to eat
When they simply need a place to make their beds
Right here underneath my wing you can rest your head
On that day when you need your brothers and sisters to care
I'll be right here
Citizen soldiers holding the life of the ones that we guide from the dark of despair
Standing on guard for the ones that we've sheltered
We'll always be ready because we will always be there
Hope and pray that you never need me
But rest assured, I will not let you down
I walk beside you, but you may not see me
The strongest among you may not were a crown
On that day when you need your brothers and sisters to care
I'll be right here
On that day when you don't have the strength for the burden you bare
I'll be right here
Citizen soldiers holding the life of the ones that we guide from the dark of despair (Citizen soldiers)
Standing on guard for the ones that we've sheltered
We'll always be ready because we will always be there
Isnt it so romantic to thank that while we live peacefully in our own lives, we are being protected from the outside forces? Or, as George Orwell put it, People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Behind all of my anti-war sentiments, my rants against American imperialism, militarism, hegemony, and exploitation, there lies a sense of security. I find comfort in knowing that, while I do not support American ambitions into the third world for reasons of conquest and greed, I am assured by the knowledge that if I were to go overseas, and something were to happen to me, my death or capture would be avenged by the US military. If I went overseas, and was taken hostage or forced into a dangerous situation, the full force of the United States military and government backed my recovery efforts. Knowing that no matter where in the world, as soon as I step onto that American embassy, I have multi-trillion dollar millions protecting me from 'the bad guys.' This may be irrational, but it is assuring.
Similarly, isnt it nice to think that the national guard stands at the ready to help us in our time of need? They are there to protect us from foreign invaders, help us during times of natural disaster, provide us with food and shelter and protection from the elements. It is nice to believe that when we shout out in pain, begging for help, our military will coming marching to our aid.
But this is an unrealistic hope. In 2008, the national guard has been pulled from our own shores to the sands of Iraq, where they fight and die for a lie, for oil, for conquest. Veterans come home and are mistreated in hospitals, and many contributed to the multitudes of homeless. Poor, single mothers are thrown off welfare. Millions are left uninsured. People are dying on the operating table, unable to pay, or they work the rest of their life trying to repay their bills. People sleep in the streets, thousands drown to death in New Orleans. Where was the government then? We have been betrayed.