The Rolling Stones' Anti-War Song (Surprisingly Compassionate)

Given the fact that since their first record, the Rolling Stones have always had a "bad boy" image, I was very surprised to read the lyrics of a more recent Stones' song called Blinded by Rainbows. When I first heard it, I liked it a lot, but mostly it was the arrangement and tune. But I looked up the lyrics for the song and realized that either Mick and Keith have mellowed over the years, or they have always had compassionate hearts and just didn't let them show. It is not your typical war is bullshit type thing. It actually causes you to think of the consequences that most would rather not think about.

This song could apply to any war or conflict such as the war in the middle east or the seemingly never-ending violence in Ireland. You could fit these lyrics to any war since the beginning of time really. It talks about children seeing their fathers shot, limbs torn off etc. The only thing that pegs it as a later sentiment is the mention of Semtex® which is a type of plastic explosive invented in 1950 in Czechoslovakia and became popular with terrorists because until recently it was very hard to detect with bomb detection devices and bomb sniffing dogs.

Enough prosyletizing. Read the lyrics below and listen to the song here if you have not heard it. (Please note that I do not own any rights to the song whatsoever and it is not licensed to me. I offer it only as a way for readers to hear it and if they like it, I encourage them to buy the song from one of the many sources both traditional and via the Internet. I do not condone piracy of music or any other works created by talented artists. Give them their due and purchase the song if you like it. And I'm betting you will. )

Did you ever feel the pain
That he felt upon the cross
Did you ever feel the knife
Tearing flesh that's oh so soft

Did you ever touch the night
Did you ever count the cost
Do you hide away the fear
Put down paradise as lost

Yeah you're blinded by rainbows
Watching the wind blow
Blinded by rainbows
Do you dream at night
Do you sleep at night
I doubt it

Did you ever feel the blast
As the semtex bomb goes off
Do you ever hear the screams
As the limbs are all torn off
Did you ever kiss the child
Who just saw his father shot
Do you ever she'd a tear
As the war drags on and on

Do you ever touch the night
Or is it just another job
Do you feel the final hours
Put down paradise as lost

Yeah you're blinded by rainbows
And faces in windows
Blinded by rainbows
Do you dream at night
Do you sleep at night
I doubt it

Do you ever fear the night
Could it be the war is lost
Do you fear the final hour
Do you kneel before the cross

Youre blinded by rainbows
And watching the wind blow
Blinded by rainbows
Do you dream at night
Do you scream at night
Do you smell of fear
Is your conscience clear
Are you caked in sweat

Are your clothes all wet
Do you see the light
Is the end in sight
See the face of christ
Enter paradise
I doubt it

 
Twelve Generations of Youngs
 
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This Page Last Updated: 15 October, 2013
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