The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Ambling madly all over the town
The call to arms, you're likened to a whisper
I liken to a radio
You were a brick bag a bowery tough, so rough
They called you from a cartoon
Pulled out of your pantaloons
But You
My brother in arms
I'd rather I'd lose my limbs
Than let you come to harm
But You
My bombazine doll
The bullets may singe your skin
And the mortars may fall
But I
I never felt so much life
Than tonight
Huddled in the trenches
Gazing on the battle field
Our rifles blaze away
We blaze away
Corporal Bradley of regiment five
And proud array standing by the bathing
Soldiers and the stevedores
We laid on the mattress and tumbled to sleep
Our eyes align, swaddled in our civies
Cradled in our dungarees
But You
My brother in arms
I'd rather I'd lose my limbs
Than let you come to harm
But You
My bombazine doll
The bullets may singe your skin
And the mortars may fall
But I
I never felt so much life
Than tonight
Huddled in the trenches
Gazing on the battle field
Our rifles blaze away
We blaze away
We blaze away
We blaze away
The call to arms, you're likened to a whisper
I liken to a radio
You were a brick bag a bowery tough, so rough
They called you from a cartoon
Pulled out of your pantaloons
But You
My brother in arms
I'd rather I'd lose my limbs
Than let you come to harm
But You
My bombazine doll
The bullets may singe your skin
And the mortars may fall
But I
I never felt so much life
Than tonight
Huddled in the trenches
Gazing on the battle field
Our rifles blaze away
We blaze away
Corporal Bradley of regiment five
And proud array standing by the bathing
Soldiers and the stevedores
We laid on the mattress and tumbled to sleep
Our eyes align, swaddled in our civies
Cradled in our dungarees
But You
My brother in arms
I'd rather I'd lose my limbs
Than let you come to harm
But You
My bombazine doll
The bullets may singe your skin
And the mortars may fall
But I
I never felt so much life
Than tonight
Huddled in the trenches
Gazing on the battle field
Our rifles blaze away
We blaze away
We blaze away
We blaze away
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i love this song a lot....and it reminds me of All Quiet on the Western Front...a tad bit
This song describes both brotherhood between soldiers and a bit of homoeroticism thrown in, as well. It's subtle but it is definitely there.
I agree about the bit of homoeroticism, I was going to post something to the effect when I first heard this song a few days ago (I know I'm a bit late haha).
Good, I'm not the only one who noticed this. ^^;;
bom·ba·zine - A fine twilled fabric of silk and worsted or cotton, often dyed black and used for mourning clothes.
I often use a dictionary when listening the Decemberists.
i feel silly saying "i love this song" because, there isn't a song by this band that I don't. but in case there is doubt, I fucking love this song/band.
I love the thought of two men finding love on the battlefield. It's such a beautiful theme.
I LOVE the word innuendo as well, but almost all instances of its use have been wrong in previous comments to the extent of using it for its opposite. This song does have some homosexual innuendo but for the most part is clearly mapping out the fraternal-style, gay relationships nurtured in long term and close contact military situations. One is seduced by a whisper of glory and camaraderie, our narrator is commanded by patriotism and duty, and the two of them shared these thoughts as they 'tumbled to sleep.' The corporal is proudly standing next to his bathing soldiers with stevedores. Why are these stevedores bathing with the soldiers? because stevedores have been notorious for coupling with shipmen when they dock. This is not a song doesnt seem to be denouncing or chastising gay tendancies in military situations, rather holding up to the light some of the homosexual-type relationships that are unique to this specific environment and how they are natural and joyful in their setting.
This is a great, great song. It is also one of the gayest songs of all time not written by Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
"Our rifles blaze away We blaze away"
Yep, sounds like they were "flaming" alright.
*This is not to disparage homosexuality in any way. It's just to point out that this is a very, very gay song. It's also beautiful and wistful, sort of a doomed romantic tale.
I stand by that this is the best song on her majesty but they're all good
Pretty awesome song... Im enjoying the decemberists at the moment.
what the heck is a bombazine doll?
....?