Boy Soldier
Clegg Johnny Lyrics
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Look into my eyes
I'm tired and older
Than the dead man by my side
I can take your soul
In a flash and a smile
And my home, and my name, and my life
Every second in no man's land
I hold my life in these small hands
Every day in a world gone mad
Hard to face who I am
Once we were children
Once we played in the morning light
Once we were chidren
One morning they came
The soldiers took us away
I am a boy soldier
See my eyes' empty stare
Each day explodes with pain
And it's more than I can bare
The ghosts of the slain
Are the shadows in my eyes
And I dream tomorrow will come
And carry me away
Every second in No Man's Land
I hold my life in these small hands
Every day in a world gone mad
Hard to face who I am
Once we were children
Once we played in the morning light
Once we were dreamers
One morning they came
The soldiers took us away
The song "Boy Soldier" by Clegg Johnny presents a poignant exploration of the horrors of war and its devastating impact on the lives of children who are caught in its midst. Through the eyes of a child soldier, the lyrics reveal the profound emotional and physical toll of living in a conflict zone, where death is always just around the corner. The opening line, "I am a boy soldier, look into my eyes," immediately draws the listener in by establishing a sense of intimacy and personal connection with the singer. The song's lyrics describe the boy's experience of war, his disorientation and despair, and his longing for home and a return to a life that is now forever out of reach.
The sense of disillusionment and trauma expressed in the song is further underscored by the lines, "Every day in a world gone mad/Hard to face who I am." These words suggest a deep sense of psychological damage inflicted by the war, leaving the boy feeling lost and disconnected from his former self. The repetition of the phrase "once we were children" throughout the song underscores the stark contrast between the innocence of youth and the brutal reality of being forced to grow up too soon. Ultimately, the song serves as a powerful indictment of the senseless violence that ravages communities and destroys the lives of the most vulnerable members of society.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a boy soldier
I am a young child who has been forced to become a soldier and participate in war.
Look into my eyes
Observe the emptiness and weariness in my expression due to experiencing the trauma of war.
I'm tired and older
Despite my young age, the trauma and harsh experiences have aged me physically and emotionally.
Than the dead man by my side
The dead body of a fellow soldier next to me serves as a reminder of the dangers and mortality present in war.
I can take your soul
With the skills I have learned in war, I am capable of killing someone quickly and easily.
In a flash and a smile
With ease and without emotion or remorse.
And my home, and my name, and my life
My past and identity have been taken away from me, as my entire being is consumed by war.
Lie so very far behind me
My past life feels distant and unattainable, as I am constantly living in the present horrors of war.
Every second in no man's land
Every moment spent in the area of conflict where neither side has control.
I hold my life in these small hands
My life is constantly at risk as I am responsible for my own survival in a volatile and dangerous environment.
Every day in a world gone mad
In a world consumed by war and destruction, every day is filled with chaos and violence.
Hard to face who I am
The extreme trauma and violence of war has distorted my sense of self and made it difficult for me to reconcile with my identity.
Once we were children
We were once innocent and carefree young individuals before being coerced into war.
Once we played in the morning light
We had the luxury of enjoying the simple pleasures of life before the horrors of war consumed us.
Once we were dreamers
We had aspirations and hope for the future, which has now been replaced by the grim reality of war.
One morning they came
The sudden and forceful nature of being taken into war and stripped of our identity.
The soldiers took us away
We were forced into war and robbed of our innocence by those in power.
See my eyes' empty stare
The trauma and pain of war has left me broken and without hope, resulting in my lifeless gaze.
Each day explodes with pain
Every day is filled with pain, both physical and emotional, due to the horrors of war.
And it's more than I can bare
The unbearable nature of the trauma and pain has taken a toll on my mental and emotional health.
The ghosts of the slain
The memories of those who have died in war haunt me, reminding me of the cost and consequences of violence.
Are the shadows in my eyes
The trauma and grief of war are constantly present and reflected in my expression, causing me to carry these burdens with me always.
And I dream tomorrow will come
Despite the harsh reality of war, I hold onto the hope that things will get better and a brighter future awaits.
And carry me away
The hope that tomorrow will bring a better future, free from the horrors of war, is what keeps me going.
Contributed by Gianna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@susanlarhubarbe9475
This song came to mind on Sunday evening as I was watching the very good but disturbing movie ‘Beasts of No Nation’ starring Idris Elba.
@thesandsie13the2nd
my favorite song on this album. i dream of a day when there will be no such thing as child soldiers
@spackhollogay
Just looked on your profile and it says you're from the UK, so I thought I'd let you know he's playing in London in March. It's definitely worth a watch, he's great live.