The band recorded two albums: Ahead Rings Out (1969) and Getting to This (1970). Both reached the lower half of the British top ten. On the first album they played a heavy blues-rock rooted in the British 1960s R'n'B scene from which sprang groups like the Yardbirds, Free, and eventually Led Zeppelin, but Blodwyn Pig had a different twist on the genre thanks to Lancaster's sax being so prominent in the mix, which led them to more creative sixties underground jazz-influenced music on the second. The single "Summer Day" from Ahead Rings Out failed to chart.
Send Your Son to Die
Blodwyn Pig Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bravery beyond
Go and send him back
To the land where he was born
Mother don't you cry
Send your son to die
Thousand more
Fortune or their sorrow
It's the name that must go on
Mother don't you cry
Send your son to die
Give us a reason
Give us a sign
Living and fighting
Which heritage is mine
Mother don't you cry
Send your son to die
The song "Send Your Son to Die" by Blodwyn Pig reflects the pain and agony of a mother who has to send her son to war. The song starts with the mention of a medal which the son has received for his exceptional bravery. The mother is asked to send him back to his birthplace, which emphasizes that he is going to war as a soldier. The lyrics "Mother don't you cry, send your son to die" highlights the emotional turmoil and the difficult situation the mother finds herself in.
The second stanza continues the theme of sacrifice as the song highlights that thousands more like the son have to go to face war. The lyrics "Fortune or their sorrow, it's the name that must go on" convey the message that the future and destiny depend on the sacrifices of the soldiers. The mother is again asked not to cry and to send her son to die.
The final stanza talks about the confusion and dilemma the soldiers face before going to war. They are uncertain about their heritage and are searching for a reason to fight. The lyrics "Give us a reason, give us a sign, living and fighting, which heritage is mine" portrays the sense of confusion among young soldiers.
Overall, Blodwyn Pig's "Send Your Son to Die" is a war song that portrays the pain and frustration of a mother who has to send her son to his probable death. It reflects the price that soldiers pay to fight for their country and their heritage.
Line by Line Meaning
Heard he got a medal
I heard that he received a medal for his bravery in battle
Bravery beyond
He showed exceptional courage beyond what was expected
Go and send him back
Now, send him back to the warzone
To the land where he was born
Back to the country where he was raised
Mother don't you cry
Do not worry or be sad, mother
Send your son to die
Send your son to risk his life and potentially die in the war
Thousand more
There are many more soldiers going to war
Tomorrow they must go
They must leave for the war very soon
Fortune or their sorrow
They will either come back with good fortune or be a cause of sorrow
It's the name that must go on
They must carry the family name and legacy into the battlefield
Give us a reason
Provide us with a valid reason for this war
Give us a sign
An indication that this war is necessary
Living and fighting
Risking life while battling
Which heritage is mine
Which culture or nation do I belong to?
Mother don't you cry
Please do not be sad, mother
Send your son to die
Give permission for your son to risk his life in this war
Contributed by Callie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Seansaighdeoir
Top tune - haven't heard this in nearly 40 years. Still quality.
@plyspeed
so great, can hear it again and again, from the period of best music
@chrisnewman299
Great track from a good album. This was also one of many great trax by the best that Island Records could offer and that was plenty of great artists& bands on a tremendous sampler album from 1970 entitled “Bumpers”. Still love that double album classic tracks by those included. Wonderful :- Chris 🎧
@bannork
Wonderful sax playing.
@deeayo6054
Boy does this chugg,and sax too!
@davidmance2079
I'm 67 years old and war still ain't cool
@blonde7000
I heard this when i was a small child and remember i didn't like it. This is the first time i have heard this since i was about 5, hearing it now strangely i like it :)
@leonardodaria7370
🎉🎉🎉🎉cool💯👍
@smithbonz
Great band....shoulda been bigger. Mick Abrahams was great guitarist on Jethro Tull's album as well. Splendid drumming by Ron Berg. Whatever happened to him?
@jeanpertho
one of the greatest albums of last century