Song Description
An slower acoustic rock tune in the style of Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen & Michael Penn. The lyrics are told from the perspective of a soldier stationed in Iraq, & concerns his overarching feelings of melancholy & uncertainy over this current Gulf War.
| Song Length |
4:45 |
Genre |
Rock - Modern, Country - Alternative |
| Tempo |
Slow (71 - 90) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant, Moving |
Subject |
War, Numbness |
| Similar Artists |
Wilco, Bruce Springsteen |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
When the first round zigzagged past my helmet, it was all I could think about:
Old Churchill wasn't lying when he said
That there's nothing more exhilerating than be shot at without result
& to come out unscathed from a hail of lead.
& It's just the cost of doing
It's just the cost of doing
It's just the cost of doing business in this place.
& still the debt's accruing
& still the debt's accruing
& still the debt's accruing at a rapid pace.
& it's all just part of the butcher's bill,
& we all keep track of the blood we spill
In our way,
In our way.
& it's all just part of the living will,
& it's all figured into the final bill
We all pay,
& we all pay
The butcher's bill.
But with all things being equal I'd rather be back in Philly now
Than be painting towns with names no one can say.
Better serving drinks & going to college courtesy of the GI Bill
Than be burning maps from half a world away.
& it's just an occupation
It's just an occupation
It's just an occupation, something that we do.
It's just an occupation
It's just an occupation
It's just an occupational hazard we get through.
& it's all just part of the butcher's bill,
& we all keep track of the blood we spill
In our way
In our way.
& it's all just part of the living will,
& it's all figured into the final bill
We all pay,
& we all pay
The butcher's bill.
Some years from now my wife will learn the hard way
She shouldn't wake me up too fast.
Someday I'll duck when my son sets off fireworks
Like it's the sound of missle blasts.
'Cause it's all just part of the butcher's bill,
& we all keep track of the blood we spill
In our way,
In our way.
& it's all just part of the living will,
& it's all figured into the final bill
We all pay,
& we all pay.
& it's all just part of the butcher's bill,
& we all keep track of the blood we spill
In our way,
In our way.
& it's all just part of the living will,
& it's all figured into the final bill
We all pay,
& we all pay
The butcher's bill.