Hmm. I'm not at all good at reading into policital subtext in lyrics, as my experience with Portuguese revolutionary songs pre-1974 would seem to indicate. And well, if I can't fully catch on to my own country's expressions of politics through art, not much hope of being tuned into the full meaning of this, right? Anyway, the lyrics essentially go:
War, we want war, war, we want war
But only if it's not sunny tomorrow
And if it's rainy, too
I won't stay home
Because I'm not here to get a wicked cold
And not be able to see my girlfriend by the end of the week
And not be able to see my girlfriend by the end of the week
War, we want war, war, we want war
But only if it's to fight with my mother-in-law
Who, I don't know why yet, doesn't like me
I am a considerate, nice boy
I'm even loved by my dear mother
Who since I was little taught me what affection is
How ugly war is, how beautiful love is
Who since I was little taught me what affection is
How ugly war is, how beautiful love is
War, it's just a moment, after war comes forgetfulness*
War, it's just a momement, after war comes forgetfulness
War, it's just a moment, after war comes forgetfulness
War, we want war, war, we want war.
(* Not the tendency for forgetting things, but the state of being forgotten - the English word for which is completely unknown to me.)
Which, if anything, seems to say light-heartedly that war is just a meaningless affair when compared to the lyrical subject's simple concerns in life.
Mind you, it's perfectly possible that I'm not perceptive enough, or not knowledgeable enough (maybe even both) to understand the song's true meaning. Maybe your own interpretation may differ, but heck, at least now you have a, I hope, reasonable translation, and can make up your own mind as to it. Also, Brazilian posters, or more informed 'lithers, may add to understanding this - if there is indeed anything more to understand.
Anyway. Sing away!
Bu-u-uuuut...
Doesn't this sort of question deserve a more specific thread? Either about lyrics in general or possibly requests from other 'lithers about those in languages they don't understand (which could encompass both translation requests and historic/cultural/etc. background enlightenment)?
It's just that, if it is indeed supposed to fall into the same line as other 101 threads around here, this seems a highly specific issue to kick it off, non? |
