I think this song transcends being a "liberal-minded" song. It's a song both sides need to hear. John is saying to everyone--left, right, and in between--that that their side's beliefs aren't going to change a thing. Protesting against or for the "war" (which I think goes beyond the current hostilities) will do nothing. It will just show that you "need the exhibition" or that you have to know you are doing something...yet "It’s the chemical weapon
for the war that’s raging on inside."
John is saying that beliefs cannot be what a political group, a nation, or even you or me takes to the plate with us. If we do that, then the consequences are bloody and tragic. What happens if we believe that no one will attack us on our own soil, and are indifferent? Children will turn into sand. What happens if we continue to take our beliefs to other nations? Thousands of sodiers die. There is no good way to make peace with beliefs. John is trying to communicate that beliefs have not worked for us...we need something else...
I think this song transcends being a "liberal-minded" song. It's a song both sides need to hear. John is saying to everyone--left, right, and in between--that that their side's beliefs aren't going to change a thing. Protesting against or for the "war" (which I think goes beyond the current hostilities) will do nothing. It will just show that you "need the exhibition" or that you have to know you are doing something...yet "It’s the chemical weapon for the war that’s raging on inside."
John is saying that beliefs cannot be what a political group, a nation, or even you or me takes to the plate with us. If we do that, then the consequences are bloody and tragic. What happens if we believe that no one will attack us on our own soil, and are indifferent? Children will turn into sand. What happens if we continue to take our beliefs to other nations? Thousands of sodiers die. There is no good way to make peace with beliefs. John is trying to communicate that beliefs have not worked for us...we need something else...
A great song by a thoughtful, masterful lyricist.