Peace Love And Understanding
Brinsley Schwarz Lyrics


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As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.

I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside,
There's one thing I wanna know:
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Oh
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding?

And as I walked on
Through troubled times
My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
So where are the strong
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.

'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Oh
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding?

So where are the strong?
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
Sweet harmony.

'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Oh




What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Oh
What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Brinsley Schwarz's song "Peace Love and Understanding" speak of the struggle to find hope in a world that appears to be filled with darkness, hatred, and misery. The singer walks through this wicked world, searching for light in the darkness of insanity. He wonders whether all hope is lost and whether there is only pain and hatred to be found. The overwhelming sense of despair and hopelessness makes him question what is so funny about peace, love, and understanding.


As he continues on his journey through troubled times, the singer becomes increasingly downhearted. He longs for the presence of those who are strong and trusted, and for a world that is filled with harmony. However, each time he feels as though this hope is slipping away, he finds himself on the brink of tears. The recurring refrain of "What's so funny 'bout peace, love, and understanding?" suggests that the answer to this question should be painfully obvious, and yet it remains elusive.


The song highlights the human desire for peace, love, and understanding in a world that often seems to offer little of these qualities. The lyrics suggest that despite the difficulties and struggles of life, these basic human needs remain fundamental, and that laughter at their expense is misplaced and inappropriate.


Line by Line Meaning

As I walk through
As I journey through life


This wicked world
The world that is filled with evil


Searchin' for light in the darkness of insanity.
Seeking hope in the midst of chaos.


I ask myself
I wonder to myself


Is all hope lost?
Is there no chance for optimism?


Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?
Is there only suffering and animosity?


And each time I feel like this inside,
Each time I feel distraught like this


There's one thing I wanna know:
I have one question on my mind:


What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Oh
Why is it amusing to talk about unity and empathy?


And as I walked on
Continuing on my journey


Through troubled times
Experiencing difficulties


My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes
I feel disheartened every now and then


So where are the strong
Where are the resilient ones


And who are the trusted?
Who can I rely on?


And where is the harmony?
Where is the peace?


Sweet harmony.
Beautiful peace.


'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
Every time I sense it waning, it makes me want to weep.


What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Oh
Why is it amusing to talk about unity and empathy?


So where are the strong?
Where are the unwavering ones?


And who are the trusted?
Who can be counted on?


And where is the harmony?
Where is the peace?


Sweet harmony.
Beautiful peace.


'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry.
Every time I sense it waning, it makes me want to weep.


What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding? Oh
Why is it amusing to talk about unity and empathy?


What's so funny 'bout peace love and understanding?
Why can't we all just get along?




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Nicholas Lowe

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Where'sMeJoompah!

What wonderful footage of real life, looks like South London...and the song is absolutely fantastic and positive. Brinsley Schwarz & Nick Lowe get the big thumbs up ;-)

losttango

It's all shot on the Old Kent Road. (As the clapperboard says at the beginning 😉).

Knickertwist Copperby

@losttango I recognised The World Turned Upside Down pub.. The Old Kent Road is a shit hole now.

losttango

@Knickertwist Copperby The Old Kent Road has always been a shithole. It's the cheapest square on the Monopoly board for a reason.

Ronnie Shaw

Old Kent Road

David Lee

London in the good days

Goblin Bollocks

Didn't even know the Elvis Costello version wasn't the original until just now. Think I prefer this sound. Great tune and great video.

SLoWBoX

I agree! Thank you.

Matt_Dylan

written by Nick Lowe but you likely know that by now

Wee Jimmy

Same here! Only discovered that today. Agree it’s better

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