One More
DJ E.B.O. Lyrics
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Rollin' of the drums and the tramping of the feet
General salutes and the mothers wave and weep
Here comes the big parade
Don't be afraid, prices paid
One more parade
So young, so strong, so ready for the war
All march together, everybody looks the same
So there is no one you can blame
Don't be ashamed, light the flame
One more parade
Listen for the sound and listen for the noise
Listen for the thunder of the marching boys
A few years ago their guns were only toys
Here comes the big parade
Don't be afraid, prices paid
One more parade
So young, so strong, so ready for the war
So willing to go and die upon a foreign shore
All march together, everybody looks the same
So there is no one you can blame
Don't be ashamed, light the flame
One more parade
Medals on their coats and guns in their hands
Trained to kill as they're trained to stand
Ten thousand ears need only one command
Here comes the big parade
Don't be afraid, prices paid
Don't be ashamed, war's a game
World's in flames, so start the parade
The lyrics to DJ E.B.O.'s song "One More Parade" serve as a commentary on the horrific realities of war and the glorification of military parades. The opening lines describe the sounds and sights of a parade, with the rolling of drums and trampoline of feet. But, there is a sense of sadness amidst the celebrations as mothers are waving and weeping at the sight of their sons marching off to war. The repetition of "One more parade" is haunting more than celebratory, as if the singer is resigned to this cycle of sending soldiers to war.
The stanza "So young, so strong, so ready for the war/ So willing to go and die upon a foreign shore/All march together, everybody looks the same/So there is no one you can blame/Don't be ashamed, light the flame/One more parade" reveals the youth and vigor of the soldiers enlisting, their willingness to go to war, and how they all look the same in uniform, and therefore no one can be singled out for blame. The line "Don't be ashamed, light the flame" implies the idea of fuelling the fervor of patriotism and heroism, even if it leads to sending young men to their deaths.
The final stanza "Medals on their coats and guns in their hands/ Trained to kill as they're trained to stand/ Ten thousand ears need only one command/ Here comes the big parade/ Don't be afraid, prices paid/ Don't be ashamed, war's a game/ World's in flames, so start the parade," emphasizes how soldiers are not just marching idly but rather, they are trained killers marching towards command. The lyrics end on a somber note stating that the world is already in flames, therefore, war is merely another evil game to be played.
Line by Line Meaning
Hup, two, three, four, marching down the street
The soldiers are marching in unison, creating a rhythmic sound.
Rollin' of the drums and the tramping of the feet
The sound of the drums and the soldiers' feet create a powerful, ominous noise.
General salutes and the mothers wave and weep
The commanding officer salutes, while the mothers of the soldiers cry and wave goodbye.
Here comes the big parade
The procession is drawing nearer.
Don't be afraid, prices paid
Courage is required, and sacrifices have been made.
One more parade
Yet another military procession.
So young, so strong, so ready for the war
The soldiers are youthful, physically fit, and eager to fight.
So willing to go and die upon a foreign shore
They are willing to travel far from home and potentially lose their lives in battle.
All march together, everybody looks the same
The soldiers appear to be identical, with no distinguishing characteristics.
So there is no one you can blame
No individual should be held responsible for the decisions made by the military.
Don't be ashamed, light the flame
Don't feel remorse or sorrow - instead, be proud and ignite the passion for victory.
Listen for the sound and listen for the noise
Pay attention to the commotion and clamor of the parade.
Listen for the thunder of the marching boys
Listen for the booming sound of the soldiers' coordinated footsteps.
A few years ago their guns were only toys
These soldiers were once children who played with toy weapons, but now they wield real guns.
Here comes the big parade
The procession is drawing nearer.
Don't be afraid, prices paid
Courage is required, and sacrifices have been made.
One more parade
Yet another military procession.
Medals on their coats and guns in their hands
The soldiers wear medals on their uniforms, and carry weapons.
Trained to kill as they're trained to stand
The soldiers have been trained to be efficient killers, and also to maintain their composure.
Ten thousand ears need only one command
The soldiers are obedient and will follow orders.
Here comes the big parade
The procession is drawing nearer.
Don't be afraid, prices paid
Courage is required, and sacrifices have been made.
Don't be ashamed, war's a game
Don't feel remorse or sorrow - instead, view war like a competition.
World's in flames, so start the parade
The world is engulfed in conflict, and the military parade is just another manifestation of that chaos.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB GIBSON, PHIL OCHS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind