The band are still playing throughout Europe.
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Soldier
Angelic Upstarts Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Talking to the people there if the people would
Some just stared in hatred, and others turned in pain
And the lonely British soldier wished he was back home again
Come join the British Army! said the posters in his town
See the world and have your fun, come serve before the Crown
The jobs were hard to come by and he could not face the dole
For there was no fear of fighting, the Empire long was lost
Just ten years in the army getting paid for being bossed
Then leave a man experienced a man who's made the grade
A medal and a pension, some mem'ries and a trade
Then came the call to Ireland as the call had came before
Another bloody chapter in an endless civil war
The priests they stood on both sides the priests they stood behind
Another fight in Jesus's name the blind against the blind
The soldier stood between them, between the whistling stones
And then the broken bottles that led to broken bones
The petrol bombs that burnt his hands the nails that pierced his skin
And now wished that he'd stayed at home surrounded by his kin
The station filled with people the soldier soon was bored
But better in the station than where the people warred
The room filled up with mothers with daughters and with sons
Who stared with itchy fingers at the soldier and his gun
A yell of fear a screech of brakes the shattering of glass
The window of the station broke to let the package pass
A scream came from the mothers as they ran towards the door
Dragging children crying from the bomb upon the floor
The soldier stood and could not move his gun he could not use
He knew the bomb had seconds and not minutes on the fuse
He could not run to pick it up and throw it in the street
There were far too many people there, too many running feet
Take cover! yelled the soldier, Take cover for your lives
And the Irishmen threw down their young and stood before their wives
They turned towards the soldier, their eyes alive with fear
For God's sake save our children or they'll end their short lives here
The soldier moved towards the bomb his stomach like a stone
Why was this his battle God why was he alone
He lay down on the package and he murmured one farewell
To those at home in England to those he loved so well
He saw the sights of summer felt the wind upon his brow
The young girls in the city parks how precious were they now
The soaring of the swallow the beauty of the swan
The music of the turning world so soon would it be gone
A muffled soft explosion and the room began to quake
The soldier blown across the floor his blood a crimson lake
They never heard him cry or shout they never heard him moan
And they turned their children's faces from the blood and from the bones
The crowd outside soon gathered and the ambulances came
To carry off the body of a pawn lost to the game
And the crowd they clapped and cheered and they sang their rebel songs
One soldier less to interfere where he did not belong
But will the children growing up learn at their mothers' knees
The story of that soldier who bought their liberty
Who used his youthful body as a means towards the end
Who gave his life to those who called him murderer not friend
The Angelic Upstarts' "Soldier" tells the story of a British soldier stationed in a city, caught between the hatred of the people and the duty to his country. The soldier is introduced as standing in a station, seemingly trying to engage with the locals. Some show him hatred, while others show him pain, and he finds himself wishing he was at home. The song then delves into the soldier's backstory, describing how he joined the army out of necessity when jobs became scarce, under the guise that there was no fear of fighting as the Empire was already lost. However, he eventually finds himself in Ireland, standing between two warring sides, becoming a victim of a bomb while trying to save innocent lives.
The lyrics evoke strong themes of war, duty, sacrifice, and the consequences of blindly following orders. The song highlights the human cost of conflict and emphasizes the heartbreaking reality of soldiers caught in the crossfires of civil war. The singer portrays the soldier as a tragic hero, who sacrificed his life for those who hated him, and how his death ultimately bought their freedom.
Overall, "Soldier" tells a powerful narrative that is both emotionally moving and thought-provoking, challenging the listener to question the morality and human cost of war.
Line by Line Meaning
In a station in the city a British soldier stood
The soldier was standing in a train station in the city.
Talking to the people there if the people would
He was trying to have a conversation with the people at the station.
Some just stared in hatred, and others turned in pain
Some people looked at him with hate, while others were in pain.
And the lonely British soldier wished he was back home again
The soldier wished he was home in England and not in the station.
Come join the British Army! said the posters in his town
Posters in his town encouraged people to join the British Army.
See the world and have your fun, come serve before the Crown
The posters promised adventure and service to the Crown.
The jobs were hard to come by and he could not face the dole
He couldn't find a job and didn't want to be on welfare.
So he took his country's shilling and enlisted on the roll
He joined the army for money and enlisted in the army.
For there was no fear of fighting, the Empire long was lost
There was no fear of fighting since the Empire was already lost.
Just ten years in the army getting paid for being bossed
He would spend 10 years in the army and get paid for being bossed around.
Then leave a man experienced a man who's made the grade
He would leave the army with experience and having passed criteria.
A medal and a pension, some mem'ries and a trade
He would receive a medal and pension, along with memories and skills from his time in the army.
Then came the call to Ireland as the call had came before
He was deployed to Ireland due to the ongoing conflict.
Another bloody chapter in an endless civil war
The situation in Ireland was a never-ending civil war that only got bloodier.
The priests they stood on both sides the priests they stood behind
Religious figures were involved in the conflict on both sides.
Another fight in Jesus's name the blind against the blind
The people fought each other over religion, despite the fact that neither side could see the wrong in their beliefs.
The soldier stood between them, between the whistling stones
The soldier stood between the two religious sides as they threw stones at each other.
And then the broken bottles that led to broken bones
The violence escalated and people were injured with broken bottles.
The petrol bombs that burnt his hands the nails that pierced his skin
The soldier was injured by petrol bombs and nails that pierced his skin.
And now wished that he'd stayed at home surrounded by his kin
The soldier regretted his decision to join the army and wished he had stayed home with his family.
The station filled with people the soldier soon was bored
The station where he was sent to wait was crowded and boring.
But better in the station than where the people warred
He preferred being at the station over being in a warzone.
The room filled up with mothers with daughters and with sons
Mothers with children filled the station where the soldier was waiting.
Who stared with itchy fingers at the soldier and his gun
The mothers stared at the soldier and his gun with nervous, anxious fingers.
A yell of fear a screech of brakes the shattering of glass
Suddenly, there was chaos and fear as the sound of screeching brakes and shattering glass filled the air.
The window of the station broke to let the package pass
The station window shattered as a package was thrown in.
A scream came from the mothers as they ran towards the door
The mothers screamed and ran to escape with their children.
Dragging children crying from the bomb upon the floor
The mothers had to drag their crying children away from the bomb that had exploded on the floor.
The soldier stood and could not move his gun he could not use
The soldier was unable to do anything as he watched the bomb ticking away.
He knew the bomb had seconds and not minutes on the fuse
He realized that the bomb was about to explode any moment.
He could not run to pick it up and throw it in the street
The soldier was unable to pick up the bomb and throw it out of the building.
There were far too many people there, too many running feet
The surrounding area was too crowded and hectic to safely evacuate everyone.
Take cover! yelled the soldier, Take cover for your lives
He urged everyone to take cover and protect themselves from the bomb.
And the Irishmen threw down their young and stood before their wives
The Irishmen protected their families by shielding them with their own bodies.
They turned towards the soldier, their eyes alive with fear
The Irishmen looked to the soldier for help, but only saw fear in his eyes.
For God's sake save our children or they'll end their short lives here
The Irishmen begged the soldier to save their children from the explosion.
The soldier moved towards the bomb his stomach like a stone
The soldier slowly moved closer to the ticking bomb, with a heavy feeling in his stomach.
Why was this his battle God why was he alone
The soldier questioned why this was his responsibility and why he was alone.
He lay down on the package and he murmured one farewell
The soldier lay down on top of the bomb and said goodbye to his loved ones in England.
To those at home in England to those he loved so well
He said his final goodbye to his loved ones in England.
He saw the sights of summer felt the wind upon his brow
As he lay there, he thought about the beauty of summer and felt the wind on his face.
The young girls in the city parks how precious were they now
He thought about the young girls he used to see in the city parks and how precious they were to him.
The soaring of the swallow the beauty of the swan
He thought about the beauty of nature, including the soaring of swallows and the graceful swans.
The music of the turning world so soon would it be gone
He realized that the beauty of the world would soon be gone, due to the violence and destruction caused by war.
A muffled soft explosion and the room began to quake
The bomb finally exploded, creating a muffled and soft explosion that caused the room to shake.
The soldier blown across the floor his blood a crimson lake
The soldier was blown across the room by the explosion, leaving a pool of his own blood on the floor.
They never heard him cry or shout they never heard him moan
The people in the station were too busy trying to save their own lives and didn't hear the soldier cry or shout in pain.
And they turned their children's faces from the blood and from the bones
The mothers shielded their children's eyes from the bloody and gruesome scene.
The crowd outside soon gathered and the ambulances came
The people outside the station gathered and ambulances arrived to help the injured.
To carry off the body of a pawn lost to the game
The ambulances carried away the body of the soldier, who was seen as a lost pawn in the game of war.
And the crowd they clapped and cheered and they sang their rebel songs
The people outside the station clapped, cheered, and sang rebel songs in celebration.
One soldier less to interfere where he did not belong
The people saw the death of the soldier as a way to prevent further interference in their war.
But will the children growing up learn at their mothers' knees
The song questions whether the children growing up in the aftermath of the war will understand the true sacrifice of the soldier.
The story of that soldier who bought their liberty
The soldier's sacrifice bought the people their freedom.
Who used his youthful body as a means towards the end
The soldier used his young body as a way to achieve the end goal of peace.
Who gave his life to those who called him murderer not friend
The soldier gave his life to people who previously saw him as an enemy and murderer, rather than a friend.
Contributed by Jonathan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
MegaEthnikos
In a station in the city a British soldier stood
Talking to the people there if the people would
Some just stared in hatred, and others turned in pain
And the lonely British soldier wished he was back home again
Come join the British Army! said the posters in his town
See the world and have your fun, come serve before the Crown
The jobs were hard to come by and he could not face the dole
So he took his country's shilling and enlisted on the roll
For there was no fear of fighting, the Empire long was lost
Just ten years in the army getting paid for being bossed
Then leave a man experienced a man who's made the grade
A medal and a pension, some mem'ries and a trade
Then came the call to Ireland as the call had came before
Another bloody chapter in an endless civil war
The priests they stood on both sides the priests they stood behind
Another fight in Jesus's name the blind against the blind
The soldier stood between them, between the whistling stones
And then the broken bottles that led to broken bones
The petrol bombs that burnt his hands the nails that pierced his skin
And now wished that he'd stayed at home surrounded by his kin
The station filled with people the soldier soon was bored
But better in the station than where the people warred
The room filled up with mothers with daughters and with sons
Who stared with itchy fingers at the soldier and his gun
A yell of fear a screech of brakes the shattering of glass
The window of the station broke to let the package pass
A scream came from the mothers as they ran towards the door
Dragging children crying from the bomb upon the floor
The soldier stood and could not move his gun he could not use
He knew the bomb had seconds and not minutes on the fuse
He could not run to pick it up and throw it in the street
There were far too many people there, too many running feet
Take cover! yelled the soldier, Take cover for your lives
And the Irishmen threw down their young and stood before their wives
They turned towards the soldier, their eyes alive with fear
For God's sake save our children or they'll end their short lives here
The soldier moved towards the bomb his stomach like a stone
Why was this his battle God why was he alone
He lay down on the package and he murmured one farewell
To those at home in England to those he loved so well
He saw the sights of summer felt the wind upon his brow
The young girls in the city parks how precious were they now
The soaring of the swallow the beauty of the swan
The music of the turning world so soon would it be gone
A muffled soft explosion and the room began to quake
The soldier blown across the floor his blood a crimson lake
They never heard him cry or shout they never heard him moan
And they turned their children's faces from the blood and from the bones
The crowd outside soon gathered and the ambulances came
To carry off the body of a pawn lost to the game
And the crowd they clapped and cheered and they sang their rebel songs
One soldier less to interfere where he did not belong
But will the children growing up learn at their mothers' knees
The story of that soldier who bought their liberty
Who used his youthful body as a means towards the end
Who gave his life to those who called him murderer not friend
mashman86751
I can truly say without a doubt this is the most heartfelt emotional song I've ever heard in my entire life.
Hamilton Cevada
I too, this is the one of most emotional songs I've heard all of my life
MegaEthnikos
In a station in the city a British soldier stood
Talking to the people there if the people would
Some just stared in hatred, and others turned in pain
And the lonely British soldier wished he was back home again
Come join the British Army! said the posters in his town
See the world and have your fun, come serve before the Crown
The jobs were hard to come by and he could not face the dole
So he took his country's shilling and enlisted on the roll
For there was no fear of fighting, the Empire long was lost
Just ten years in the army getting paid for being bossed
Then leave a man experienced a man who's made the grade
A medal and a pension, some mem'ries and a trade
Then came the call to Ireland as the call had came before
Another bloody chapter in an endless civil war
The priests they stood on both sides the priests they stood behind
Another fight in Jesus's name the blind against the blind
The soldier stood between them, between the whistling stones
And then the broken bottles that led to broken bones
The petrol bombs that burnt his hands the nails that pierced his skin
And now wished that he'd stayed at home surrounded by his kin
The station filled with people the soldier soon was bored
But better in the station than where the people warred
The room filled up with mothers with daughters and with sons
Who stared with itchy fingers at the soldier and his gun
A yell of fear a screech of brakes the shattering of glass
The window of the station broke to let the package pass
A scream came from the mothers as they ran towards the door
Dragging children crying from the bomb upon the floor
The soldier stood and could not move his gun he could not use
He knew the bomb had seconds and not minutes on the fuse
He could not run to pick it up and throw it in the street
There were far too many people there, too many running feet
Take cover! yelled the soldier, Take cover for your lives
And the Irishmen threw down their young and stood before their wives
They turned towards the soldier, their eyes alive with fear
For God's sake save our children or they'll end their short lives here
The soldier moved towards the bomb his stomach like a stone
Why was this his battle God why was he alone
He lay down on the package and he murmured one farewell
To those at home in England to those he loved so well
He saw the sights of summer felt the wind upon his brow
The young girls in the city parks how precious were they now
The soaring of the swallow the beauty of the swan
The music of the turning world so soon would it be gone
A muffled soft explosion and the room began to quake
The soldier blown across the floor his blood a crimson lake
They never heard him cry or shout they never heard him moan
And they turned their children's faces from the blood and from the bones
The crowd outside soon gathered and the ambulances came
To carry off the body of a pawn lost to the game
And the crowd they clapped and cheered and they sang their rebel songs
One soldier less to interfere where he did not belong
But will the children growing up learn at their mothers' knees
The story of that soldier who bought their liberty
Who used his youthful body as a means towards the end
Who gave his life to those who called him murderer not friend
Karl Dambers
Unbelievable heart felt song
Stinky Pete
I first heard this maybe 30 years ago when my brother, his mates and all my mates were in N.I.
Still makes me cry today.
Patrick McCormack
Just recently learned of Angelic Upstarts. Two thumbs up.
lennono1980
incredible lyrics. heard it when i was 14 and its never left me. thanx for posting.
Robert McCulloch
I remember buying this record, mid eighties in Sydney Australia. I played it over and over at full blast till the old biddy from next door burst into my lounge room yelling at me to turn it off. This is the first time I have heard it in 30 odd years. Still as powerful now as then. The same shit is still happening its just the extremists follow a different god and wear a different uniform. The money makers are laughing till they shit themselves while the pawns do their dirty work..
ANGELIC UPSTARTS Fucking Awesome!!!
Fabio Renzi
Great record indeed! What are your fave tracks from it? This one and?
peter mcallister
actually, its the SAME god that the muslims kill for, absurd, isn't it.