If I Had A Rocket Launcher
Cockburn Bruce Lyrics

Here comes the helicopter, second time today
The arrival of the helicopter signifies a possible threat or terror. It is the second time the chopper has visited, making people scared and nervous.

Everybody scatters and hopes it goes away
People are hoping that the helicopter will leave them alone and not cause any harm. They run and hide, hoping to avoid any trouble.

How many kids they've murdered only God can say, hey
The number of innocent children who have lost their lives due to violence and war is tremendous. It is impossible to count or keep track of their deaths.

If I had a rocket launcher, if I had a rocket launcher If I had a rocket launcher, I'd make somebody pay
The singer is frustrated with the violence and suffering around him. He wishes he had a way to fight back and protect himself and others from these threats. He wants to make the perpetrators pay for their actions.

I don't believe in guarded borders and I don't believe in hate
The singer is a pacifist who does not believe in dividing people based on boundaries and hates. He believes in the freedom of movement and equality for all.

I don't believe in generals or their stinking torture states
The singer is against military leaders who use torture and fear tactics to control and dominate others. He despises the idea of using violence against those who are weaker and powerless.

And when I talk with the survivors of things too sickening to relate
The singer has spoken with people who have been through unimaginable horrors and atrocities. They have experienced things that are too awful to describe or comprehend.

If I had a rocket launcher, if I had a rocket launcher If I had a rocket launcher, I would retaliate
The singer feels helpless and powerless in the face of such suffering, but he wishes he could fight back and protect those who are being harmed. He wants to retaliate against those who are causing this damage and make them pay for their actions.

On the Rio Lacantun, one hundred thousand wait
There are many people who are suffering in different parts of the world, waiting for help and relief. The Rio Lacantun is a place where a large number of people are struggling to survive.

To fall down from starvation, or some less humane fate
The people in the Rio Lacantun are facing a range of dangers, from starvation to other inhumane outcomes. They are desperate for aid and support.

Cry for Guatemala, with a corpse in every gate
The singer is calling attention to the violence and suffering in Guatemala, where there are many dead bodies as a result of the conflict. He is urging people to take notice of this tragedy and raise their voices to stop it.

If I had a rocket launcher, if I had a rocket launcher If I had a rocket launcher, I would not hesitate
The singer is fed up with the lack of action and change in the face of such suffering. He wants to take matters into his own hands and not hesitate in retaliating against those who are causing the harm. He wishes he had the power to make a difference.

I want to raise every voice, at least I've got to try
The singer is determined to do something to stop the violence and suffering around him. He wants to raise awareness of the issue and get others involved in helping those who are in need. He knows that it will be difficult, but he is committed to trying.

Every time I think about it water rises to my eyes.
The singer is emotionally overwhelmed by the scale of the suffering and violence that he sees around him. He feels deeply for those who are suffering, and it makes him cry to think about their pain.

Situation desperate, echoes of the victims cry
The situation is dire, and the voices of the victims can still be heard echoing through the singer's mind. He is acutely aware of the gravity of the situation.

If I had a rocket launcher, if I had a rocket launcher If I had a rocket launcher, some son of a bitch would die
The singer is angry that people can cause so much harm and suffering without being held accountable. He wants to take action against those who are causing the violence and make them pay for their actions. He wishes he had the power to do so.