I really don't think its about Jesus, the idea just fits. And one thing that does not work at all, is that he was "a decorated general", which would've meant Jesus fought wars and killed many people in the process. And the line about growing a beard, you forget the next line about it being to cover up his scars, so he was tryign to cover up scars from past wars when he shaved before.
The real meaning is more of a story, when a general dreamt of the devastation war caused the night before a battle. He has been in many wars, killed many people, and he thought he was war, and he couldnt be anything else. When the men were waiting for orders, he told them to go home, live a life without war, and he will go into battle by himself to die, because he feels he has no other purpose in life to kill, so he decides to kill himself so no others will die. when the soldiers hear the order, they didn't know whether do as he say or as he do, and decide to do as he say and watch and the general goes into battle (his suicide) by himself to make sure that no one else dies because of his infantry.
the chorus is his orders, and his dream that prompted his to his realization. the second part "take a shower, shine your shoes...go now you are forgiven" IS the general telling them to live a life meant for them, peacefully, and also saying that is you leave before this battle, god will forgive you and you would be "cursed" like he is
I really don't think its about Jesus, the idea just fits. And one thing that does not work at all, is that he was "a decorated general", which would've meant Jesus fought wars and killed many people in the process. And the line about growing a beard, you forget the next line about it being to cover up his scars, so he was tryign to cover up scars from past wars when he shaved before.
The real meaning is more of a story, when a general dreamt of the devastation war caused the night before a battle. He has been in many wars, killed many people, and he thought he was war, and he couldnt be anything else. When the men were waiting for orders, he told them to go home, live a life without war, and he will go into battle by himself to die, because he feels he has no other purpose in life to kill, so he decides to kill himself so no others will die. when the soldiers hear the order, they didn't know whether do as he say or as he do, and decide to do as he say and watch and the general goes into battle (his suicide) by himself to make sure that no one else dies because of his infantry.
the chorus is his orders, and his dream that prompted his to his realization. the second part "take a shower, shine your shoes...go now you are forgiven" IS the general telling them to live a life meant for them, peacefully, and also saying that is you leave before this battle, god will forgive you and you would be "cursed" like he is