Lonely Soldier
Damien Rice and Christy Moore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lonely, but never alone
Good eyes, see nothing to shoot
Good feet, feel good giving up good boots
So ask your father how'd you fall
And ask your father how'd you fall
Like a leaf sitting on the ground
She died with her hands stretched out
She died with a hungry mouth
She died with her mind full of doubt
And thoughts of weakening
So may your river never dry
And may your mouth never lie
And may you be satisfied to never know why
Sometimes someone just wants to die
So where'd you get those cuts in your hand?
Thought I told you about playing in the sand
There's always someone careless with glass
There's always questions you don't want to ask
She died with her hands stretched out
She died with a hungry mouth
She died with her mind full of doubt
And thoughts of weakening
And so may your river never dry
And may your mouth never lie
And may you be satisfied to never know why
Sometimes someone just wants to die
So lonely soldier go home
Lonely, but never alone
Good eyes, see nothing to shoot
Good feet, feel good giving up good boots
The song "Lonely Soldier" by Damien Rice is a poignant yet simple ballad that tells the story of a soldier who is returning home from war feeling isolated and alone despite being back with his loved ones. The opening lines of the song, "Lonely soldier go home, Lonely, but never alone" suggest that the soldier may have experienced some kind of trauma during his service that has left him feeling detached from the people he has returned to. The soldier's wartime experiences are implied through lines such as "Good eyes, see nothing to shoot" and "Good feet, feel good giving up good boots" which reflect a sense of relief that he no longer has to be in a constant state of vigilance and readiness.
The song takes a dark turn when the soldier thinks about a woman who has died, with "her mind full of doubt and thoughts of weakening." This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the soldier's own mental state, having experienced the trauma and horrors of war. The repetition of the phrase "And so may your river never dry, And may your mouth never lie" seems to be a wish for peace and honesty in the face of difficult circumstances. The lyric "Sometimes someone just wants to die" is a gut-wrenching moment that highlights the mental and emotional toll that war can take on people.
Overall, "Lonely Soldier" is a poignant and timeless song that speaks to the human experience of war and its aftermath.
Line by Line Meaning
Lonely soldier go home
Leave this war and return back to your loved ones
Lonely, but never alone
Despite being surrounded by fellow soldiers, the emotional pain of war is isolating
Good eyes, see nothing to shoot
The soldier has lost the desire to fight despite having the skill to do so
Good feet, feel good giving up good boots
In giving up the necessities of war, the soldier regains a sense of humanity
So ask your father how'd you fall
Reflect on the series of events that led you to this point of being a soldier
Like a leaf sitting on the ground, Good for nothing 'cept kicking around
Like a fallen leaf, the soldier feels at times like a discarded object
She died with her hands stretched out, She died with a hungry mouth, She died with her mind full of doubt, And thoughts of weakening
The loss of life and the constant state of danger leaves the soldier wondering if death is the only way out
So may your river never dry, And may your mouth never lie, And may you be satisfied to never know why, Sometimes someone just wants to die
May the soldier find the will to continue living, even without answers to the world's most pressing questions
So where'd you get those cuts in your hand?, Thought I told you about playing in the sand, There's always someone careless with glass, There's always questions you don't want to ask
Casual injuries reveal the reality of war and the trauma that comes with it
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Damien George Rice
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eoghan Brophy
Love this song, 3 great voices, lyrics are brilliant.
Joshua Gonzalez
Always loved this song. It's literally perfect.
ndg43
This song really speaks to me. "Sometimes someone just wants to die." It makes me think of my uncle who committed suicide.
A. B. McCartney
Just watched a wee North of Ireland band called FALSE FRIENDS singing this song tonight.
I've never heard it before, but they really did it justice. Fantastic song and they did it proud. 💚🍀
S M
Used to have his on cd..emotional to hear it again.. great song
Chris Gilroy
this is my favourite ever song it gives me the chills every time,
cuddleymonster
Fantastic... Downloaded it over the weeknend and ahve been listening to it on loop! ! Words are brilliant!
sillyrabbit77
Was looking for this version. Saw him play it with the Birds singer when they were touring together, quite a few years ago. Thanks.
Moniange Quintessence Music
great song, thanks for sharing it :)
kitty lynch
Who wrote the words? It's a beautiful song. Always makes me cry.