The Words That Maketh Murder
PJ Harvey Lyrics

I've seen and done things I want to forget
The singer has experienced and taken part in events which she wishes to erase from her memory.

I've seen soldiers fall like lumps of meat
The singer has witnessed soldiers dying in violent, horrific ways.

Blown and shot out beyond belief
The soldiers' bodies have been dismembered and mutilated due to the explosive force of the weapons used in combat.

Arms and legs were in the trees
The singer observed the limbs of soldiers scattered and caught up in vegetation following the explosion.

Coming from an unearthly place
The events surrounding the singer seem otherworldly and surreal.

Longing to see a woman's face
The singer desires human connection and warmth in the midst of her harrowing experiences.

Instead of the words that gather pace
Rather than engaging in fast-paced, violent conflict, the singer desires peaceful communication and connection.

The words that maketh murder
The power of language and rhetoric can contribute to destructive actions and loss of human life.

These, these, these are the words
A repetition of the previous line for emphasis.

Murder
A direct reference to death and destruction.

I've seen a corporal whose nerves were shot
The singer has observed soldiers suffering from PTSD and other mental health issues as a result of combat.

Climbing behind the fierce, gone sun
The soldier is exposed to intense heat and light while navigating difficult and dangerous circumstances.

I've seen flies swarming everyone
The presence of flies indicates death and decay among the soldiers.

Soldiers fell like lumps of meat
The repetition of this refrain emphasizes the horrific nature of the soldiers' deaths.

Death lingering, it stunk
The smell of death and decay is overwhelming and difficult to ignore.

Over the whole summit's peak
The violence and destruction impacts the entire area where the conflict is taking place.

Flesh quivering in the heat
The physical toll of combat is vividly described - unbearable discomfort in the intense heat.

This was something else again
The singer struggles to find the words to convey the magnitude of the experience.

I fear it cannot explain
Even if the singer could articulate her feelings, she doubts anyone would fully understand.

Take my problem, United Nations?
The singer proposes the possibility of seeking diplomatic solutions to conflict, rather than resorting to violence.

What if I take my problem to the United Nations?
A question posed to consider alternatives to war and aggression.

Take my
A repetition of the previous line.

What if I take my problem to the United Nations?
A repetition of the previous question for emphasis.