The ocean is on fire, the sky turned dark again as the boats came in.
And the beaches, streched out with soldiers,
With their arms and guns it has just begun.

Believe,
You want this.
Believe,
I want this too.

Why won't you tell me that,
It's almost over
Why must this tear my head,
Inside out.

And the houses laid out like targets,
With the deafening sound,
We watched them all go down.
And the families now useless bodies,
They lay still black and blue,
A gift from us to you.

Believe,
You want this.
Believe,
I want this too.

Why won't you tell me that,
It's almost over
Why must this tear my head,
Inside out.

Believe
Believe
You want this too.

Why won't you tell me that,
It's almost over
Why must this tear my head,
Inside out.

Why won't you tell me that,
It's almost over
Why must this tear my head,
Inside out.



Lyrics submitted by seraphius

Track duration: 05:08


The War song meanings
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73 Comments

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  • 0
    Song Meaning:This song is sung in the perspective of a soldier who's trying to believe in the cause he's fighting for and/or trying to make sense of war itself. After depicting the horrors of war with destroyed buildings and dead bodies of innocent civilians, Tom illustrates the need for soldiers on both sides to convince themselves that a war is necessary in order to keep themselves going.

    "Do I really want this?" Is the underlying question posed throughout the song. I don't think this song is necessarily against war. Rather, I think this song is against taking the concept of war lightly. Most people at first thought think war takes place solely between soldiers on both sides, but its a fact that innocent people get hurt in the process of having a war.
    Flag Amadeuxon October 30, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The ocean is on fire, the sky turned dark again as the boats came in.
    And the beaches, streched out with soldiers,
    With their arms and guns it has just begun.
    - they're having issues in their relationship. and the "soldiers" part could refer to putting up arms or to protect themselves. and the "arms and guns" part could mean they're yelling at each other and fighting a lot.

    Believe,
    You want this.
    Believe,
    I want this too.
    - he's asking "do you really want to go through this? do we really want this right now?"

    Why won't you tell me that,
    It's almost over
    Why must this tear my head,
    Inside out.
    - why can't the fighting just stop, why do i have to let it hurt me anymore.

    And the houses laid out like targets,
    With the deafening sound,
    We watched them all go down.
    And the families now useless bodies,
    They lay still black and blue,
    A gift from us to you.
    - everything between them has disintegrated. it's tearing their family apart and it's hurting them.


    Flag sirensavaon July 08, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The first verse clearly depicts June 6, 1944

    "The ocean is on fire, the sky turned dark again as the boats came in.
    And the beaches, streched out with soldiers,
    With their arms and guns it has just begun."

    This is a direct reference to storming the beaches of Normandy

    This song is all about every side of war, from the soldiers to the families and casualties of war.

    Great song
    Flag Niffirgon September 21, 2010   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning:this is a powerful song.Its about a soilder(or anyone else whos overseas)and hes had enough and he wants to go home.Great song.Tom was not afried to tell people how he felt about the war.This song is saying it .I love this song
    Flag argowhaleron August 13, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:You have to be a moron to think this song ISN'T ABOUT WAR, it just is, it represents the perfect way:
    rough and real, just the way it actually is.

    2. It doesn't really matter what war it is, NO WAR makes sence
    and never will, you can't justify some wars or judge just some others, every war, everywhere is wrong. If a song is an anti-war song, it's going to be an "anti-2wars" song.

    3. master_erk:"Also,i m sure im gonna get alot of crap about this...but i support the Iraq War.
    We're kickin ass over there now with the surge and what not.
    these is still war going on because if there wasnt we would all have to be god.War is infinite,it wont go away until the world does,so get used to it.If you want peace then get ready for war,and then the irony that is peace"
    If everyone just thought like you, and everyone just said that everything is infinitive and just put up with that, humanity would still be living in caves in the woods. SO Fuck You!

    4. I don't know exactly what the song is about, and I Don't think anyone does but the band and close friends, but to me this will always be the ultimate anti-war song, it just describes as it is, and is saying how it has to end and has no point. and; x_gleamingauction, it's true, every good writter could do it, but no one really does youknow? This is the real deal, affecting hard innocent people, and no one gives a shit about it, except the people killing other people or the ones who's lives have alredy been ruined by war.


    5 "And the houses laid out like targets,
    With the deafening sound,
    We watched them all go down.
    And the families now useless bodies,
    They lay still black and blue,
    A gift from us to you" to me, this is the most important part of the song, 'cause it admints how is America's fault, and how ridiculously stupid it realy is. The "Believe I want this" part, is about how they make you believe it is right, when you know not you or anyone sane don't want it.

    6. IT is a great song, and has a deep meaning, that no one really cares about. And I don't think is overrated at all, it should be recognized, and Tom should get more recognition for these real, free speaking, honest and revolutionary lyrics. Sorry, call me crazy, but I don't appreciate it when innocent people die, and families get broken for the econimical an political interests of authorities who make you believe you're doing a great labor. I admire the soldiers but I will never support war or anyone who kills somone for no reason, except that they were told to.

    DONE
    Flag MCRockerwayAfion June 03, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:goldenarm009 talks about how there are similar lines in this song and in "It Hurts" which I noticed as well.
    I think he's recycling it for a reason, because I think, unlike most of the other people here, that it isn't too much to do with a physical war, but I think it's more with the story Tom's trying to tell.
    Flag daleboyv1on April 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:besides the obvious, I think this was an opportunity for Tom to write a song that represented conflict in the emotions of humanity. With conflict, comes a need to have a hope/endurance that will allow us to overcome the battles of everyday life.
    Flag Robinseggon March 21, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is deffinately my favortie song by AVA with "A Little's Enough" close behind. This so is powerful and chilling to hear, i love it. I think this song is about a person stuggle, like a battle someone is fighting inside themself. Nothing in particular but its a problem thats driving him crazy but he know's this war must be fought til the end and that he is going to have to make sacrafices and he's going to lose some along the way but in the end its for the better.
    Flag junkie4musicon December 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I can't believe how many of you are sheep and will believe anything the liberal media tells you...

    First of all, if you think this song has to do with Iraq then your a dumbass. "And the beaches, streched out with soldiers." Somebody please tell me, how many beaches are there in IRAQ? Oh wait, its about 99.9% land-locked. Tards.. it's about WWII go read a damn history book.

    Second, I am in the Army (in ROTC right now) and even though I haven't been over there YET, I will tell you that I interact with plenty of people who have. They are the ones I trust on the success of the war, not the boneheads on CNN who simply need a story and need something to talk about. But hey, you sheep keep tuning in so why would they stop?
    Flag jharrison July 29, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This is an Anti-war song... but why does Tom open it by talking about WWII and then suddenly make it about Iraq? I like the song and the message it sends about war being bad and that people should just love eachother unconditionally like every AVA song(except for Rite of Spring and It Hurts), but I'm not exactly sure what WWII and Iraq have to do with eachother. WWII was the only justifiable war that America has ever been in and Iraq is total bullshit just like Korea, Vietnam and The Gulf War. A little confusing, but a good song though. Very powerful.
    Flag pmac52188on June 15, 2008   Link

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