Heaven on earth
We need it now
I'm sick of all of this
Hanging around
Sick of sorrow
Sick of pain
Sick of hearing again and again
That there's gonna be
Peace on earth

Where I grew up
There weren't many trees
Where there was we'd tear them down
And use them on our enemies
They say that what you mock
Will surely overtake you
And you become a monster
So the monster will not break you

It's already gone too far
Who said if you go in hard
You won't get hurt

Jesus could you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on earth
Tell the ones who hear no sound
Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on earth
No who's or whys
No-one cries like a mother cries
For peace on earth
She never got to say goodbye
To see the color in his eyes
Now he's in the dirt
That's peace on earth

They're reading names out over the radio
All the folks the rest of us won't get to know
Sean and Julia, Gareth, Ann and Brenda
Their lives are bigger, than any big idea

Jesus could you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on earth
Tell the ones who hear no sound
Whose sons are living in the ground
Peace on earth

Jesus this song you wrote
The words are sticking in my throat
Peace on earth
Hear it every Christmas time
But hope and history won't rhyme
So what's it worth?
This peace on earth

Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth



Lyrics submitted by archmastermind

Track duration: 04:48

"Peace on Earth" as written by Dave Evans Adam Clayton

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Peace On Earth song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:This song is about the Omagh Bombing, Northern Ireland, 1998. The names Bono reads out were some of the 20 plus victims of the bombing.
    Flag rz0on June 16, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"Tell the ones who hear no sound
    Whose sons are living in the ground
    Peace on Earth
    No whos or whys
    No one cries, like a mother cries
    For peace on Earth
    She never got to say goodbye
    To see the colour in his eyes
    Now he's in the dirt
    Peace on Earth"

    I went to my brother's high school graduation today, and a man went up to the mic to talk about his son who died tragically last year. It was heartbreaking. Those lines sound like they touch on the loss of a child
    Flag FierceDeity835on June 06, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:They say that what you mock
    Will surely overtake you
    And you become a monster
    So the monster will not break you

    I can so relate to these lines.
    Flag Arachidamiaon March 26, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I love this song. The best bit in my opinion is

    Sean and Julia, Garreth, Ann and Breda
    Their lives are bigger than any big idea .

    I think what it is trying to say is that the thoughts and memories and dreams and potential and everything of these people is a million times more important than some big idea, like religion, or power, or money.

    And the bit where he sings

    Hear it every Christmas time
    But hope and history won't rhyme
    So, what's it worth?

    It almost seems like he's questioning the very point of the song, because all these hopes he has for peace don't go with mankinds history of hate and anger.

    Flag loubylouxxon January 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think that this song just sums up all the emotion and wishing for a better world that U2 bring to all there songs. asking god for help. i also think that it may be related to a was at some time because of the line ''Tell the ones who hear no sound
    Whose sons are living in the ground''. maybe thats refering to the families who were left behind after their sons and husbans were killed or something like that
    Flag rattle and humon April 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Sorry i didn't know the site had a forum[yeah i'm a noob], i will just post this on the forum instead.
    Flag trampon April 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I know i don't post here that often (i only posted once) but i think songs like these are meant to get us inspired and motivate us to get off our lazy (apologies for those that this does not apply to) ass and actually do something.

    i am sick and tired of useless excuse for life like me [yes me] that just listen to these songs and just feel sad for a minute[spelt wrong] period and then just carrys on like nothing has happened.

    By not doing anything it's just the same as putting another person in dirt and just adding petrol to the fire. So i say this to you, go forth and make a change, go forth and help us get back our world.

    So who is with me.
    Flag trampon April 08, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I saw a film of a U2 concert, once. At one point Bono stopped singing (not this song... I forget which) and began reciting a list of names. Among them were a Shaun, a Julia, a Gareth, an Anne and a Breda. Suggesting that the names he mentions here are very real people.
    Flag kirotourmalineon October 30, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Where are we going this evening?
    The perfume beside him in the darkness pleases him
    And makes me watch so long in front of that shut door
    Pretending to have drawn near

    One enters rooms
    It’s easy—everyone does it
    Or maybe the light came from elsewhere
    I stayed where I was
    I am close to the fountain—not so very close
    I want to drink from it—its depth—more than that
    Or perhaps not
    What are you up to?! Don’t lie!
    I am afraid …

    It sums up the voyage
    Of an intelligible crystal
    Could you—without the thunder of a single eyelash
    Have become the same?
    I can almost see the storm’s whiteness
    What will take over without me
    Peace—always a snake and one that bites

    [paraphrased poetry]
    Flag sillybunnyon September 21, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Paraphrased poetry ...

    Under the straw, in the stable, lies Frankenstein’s monster
    The Frankenstein’s monster’s daughter travels
    For her and her tomcat—I yes—I paid the cab fare
    We have nothing to conceal
    We have nothing to miss
    The war’s not yet been declared
    We can’t complain ….
    The volcano, in vain, calls out to the deep sleeper
    Reluctant still—to go to the celebration
    And buy the postcard
    I sit—stand—sing—with a homemade instrument
    We talk and talk
    Your mouth has opened—like a rose
    Flag sillybunnyon September 02, 2006   Link

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