An important moment in his career was in 1995, when he performed at a peace rally at Tel Aviv, a few minutes before Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated.
Aviv Geffen is also the son of well known Israeli poet Yehonathan Geffen, and nephew of former Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Dayan. He is sometimes criticised for not serving in the IDF, even though he was actually excused for medical reasons.
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Summary:
Edited by shlevich on 20 Nov 2007, 10:10
Sources (view history)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviv_Geffen
Heroes
אביב גפן Lyrics
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They will turn him into stone
So many heroes after they're gone
'Cause after all they are plastic soldiers
Melting in the fire line
They're calling them heroes after they die
While the general in his fancy office
You're just a number on his map
Don't you send your boy when the country calls you
The lyrics of "Heroes" by Aviv Geffen are a call to reject the notion of blindly sacrificing human life in the name of patriotism. In the first two lines, he warns against sending young men to fight in conflicts, suggesting that they will be dehumanized and transformed into mere objects. The metaphor of a plastic soldier melting in the fire line evokes both the physical and emotional toll of warfare. The chorus questions the idea of being called a hero only after death, implying that it is not worth the sacrifice of one's life. The reference to a general in his fancy office contrasts the luxury and power of high-ranking officials with the devastating violence experienced by soldiers on the front lines. In the final line, the question asks whether it is possible to be a hero and still be alive, possibly implying that staying true to one's principles and standing up for what is right in everyday life is an act of heroism.
It is worth noting that "Heroes" has been interpreted by some fans and critics as a commentary on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been ongoing for many decades. Geffen himself has spoken about his opposition to violence and support for peace, and some of the lyrics could be seen as directed towards those who advocate for military action. However, the message of the song is universal and can be applied to any conflict where human lives are sacrificed for political or ideological reasons. The emphasis on the individual cost of war and the dehumanization of soldiers makes "Heroes" a poignant and thought-provoking statement on the nature of heroism.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you send your boy where the country calls you
Warning against sending loved ones to fight in war
They will turn him into stone
The emotional toll war takes on soldiers
So many heroes after they're gone
Heroes are only recognized after they die
'Cause after all they are plastic soldiers
Soldiers are viewed as disposable and easily replaceable
Melting in the fire line
The physical danger soldiers face
They're calling them heroes after they die
Society only praises soldiers who die in battle
While the general in his fancy office
The disconnect between military leadership and soldiers
You're just a number on his map
Soldiers are dehumanized and reduced to statistics
Can you be heroes and be alive?
Questioning society's definition of heroism and whether it applies to living soldiers
Writer(s): Aviv Geffen
Contributed by Maya K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.