Pilgrim's Address
Fish Lyrics

Mr President, you don't know my name,
I am one of the countless people who served my country and put my life on the line, yet my identity remains unknown to those in power.

But you could find it if you really cared,
Although I am just a regular person, my contribution to this country and its welfare deserves acknowledgement from those who lead it.

Because I pay my taxes and I pay my dues,
I have fulfilled my duty as a citizen by contributing to the country financially and serving it when called upon.

All I ask for in return is the truth.
As a patriotic citizen, all I demand is honesty and transparency from my government in exchange for my service.

Can we just be honest, I've heard that speech is free
Despite being mindful of the fact that the right to free speech is guaranteed by the Constitution, I fear censorship and political correctness will suppress my address's authenticity.

So please believe me that this address is sincere,
I assure you that what I am about to say is heartfelt and honest, and I hope you listen to it with the same sincerity.

I'm no-one special, just a regular guy,
I do not consider myself to be extraordinary in any way; I am just an ordinary person who has served his country and seeks answers.

But I just can't keep on wondering why
The uncertainty of what actually occurred during my service and the aftermath weighs heavily on me, and I seek clarity and closure.

That the shells we fired they now kill our own,
The weapons we intended for our foes have injured and killed our own people due to unfortunate circumstances, which raises ethical concerns.

And we waste away like shadows in our homes.
The trauma and psychological effects of war have left us feeling like we are fading away with no one to understand our struggles.

I fell from blue skies, fought through desert storms,
As a soldier, I have experienced a range of battles in different terrains and weather conditions.

I froze in firefights, I killed someone,
The violence and death I encountered in war has had a profound impact on me, and I have taken the life of another person, which is an experience that will stay with me forever.

That had a father who loved him just like mine,
The person I killed was someone's child who was loved and cared for by their family, just like mine loved and cared for me.

Who believed the sacrifice was justified,
The families who lost their loved ones in war believe that their sacrifice was for a righteous cause, which is inspiring and heart-breaking at the same time.

In the name of freedom and in the name of God,
The justification for war and violence has religious and ideological overtones that are often used to motivate and justify sacrifice.

While shifting sands hid all our sins and all the blood,
The dark and murky nature of war often obscures the true cost and consequences, such as the injustices, crimes, and bloodshed, that are left hidden beneath the sand.

In the wake of glory, I flew back home,
After bravely serving in war, I returned home with a sense of honour and pride that has been tarnished by the harsh realities of life after war.

I watch videos at night in my uniform,
The memories of war haunt me, and I find myself revisiting the time I spent in the military as a way of dealing with my trauma.

Of those towns and cities being blown apart,
The destruction and devastation I witnessed firsthand during war is now replayed in my mind as a nightmare that won't go away.

By those bombs that fool the people by being smart,
The high-tech weaponry used in war often masked the true cost of collateral damage and civilian casualties, which is a deception that has serious ethical implications.

As they flew down chimneys, flew along corridors,
The bombs often hit innocent people's homes and business, making it hard to justify the damage and destruction that were caused.

And explode on film and everyone goes 'awe!',
The media's glorification of war and its coverage often portrayed the violence in an exciting and heroic manner, overlooking the true cost and consequences of war.

And you read the stories about how no-one's killed,
The media ignores or manipulates the facts on the ground, leading people to believe that the wars are not as deadly as they are and that their leaders have made the right decisions.

And I think about the photos that I kept,
As a way of coping with my trauma, I have taken pictures and kept them as a reminder of my time in service and the sacrifices that were made.

To remind me that it was all for real,
The pictures serve as a constant reminder of the reality of war, the hardships we faced, the sacrifices we made, and the toll of human life that was lost in the process.

And the ghost that I've become will be released,
I feel like a shadow of my former self, haunted by the memories of war, and I seek release from the constant pain and trauma, which is a constant struggle for me.

To the sands still shifting that cover all the lies,
The truth about the real cost of war and the lies that were told to justify it will remain buried beneath the sand, out of sight and out of mind.

About what really happened and who really died.
The obscuring of the truth about who died and what happened during the wars is a source of frustration and pain for me, as I seek answers and closure.

Was it really worth it?
The question of whether the cost of war and the sacrifices made can be justified morally and politically is one that weighs heavily on my mind and deserves an honest and thoughtful answer.

Was it worth the cost?
The cost of war in terms of human life, resources, and prestige is immense and has long-lasting implications that must be taken into consideration when making decisions regarding warfare.

Did we really take the high ground or have we lost all the moral battles, did we lose the war?
The notion of what it means to take the high ground morally and ethically is thrown into question when considering the true cost of war, and the idea of winning or losing a war becomes a grey area instead of a black and white decision.

Mr President I need to know for sure,
As a concerned citizen and former soldier, I demand clarity and honesty from our leaders regarding the decisions made and the consequences that followed in war, as it directly impacts the credibility and legitimacy of our country and its values.

That with all this knowledge, all this control,
The ability to control and influence the country, its policies, and its people looms large for those in positions of power, and with that control comes the responsibility to be transparent and truthful.

That we were on the right side after all,
The notion of 'the right side' is a nebulous one that is often used to justify the cost of war and its consequences, and it is one that requires critical reflection and ethical consideration.

That we weren't lied to, that we weren't used,
The truthfulness and sincerity of our leaders and their motives in making decisions about war are in question, as many believe that they were misled and manipulated to accept the idea of war as a path to peace and security.

And the country that we fought for still upholds the truth.
The ideals and values that my fellow soldiers and I fought for should be reflected in a country that is just, free, and democratic, which requires a commitment to truth, transparency, and accountability.

It's on a black wall, it's on a cross of stone,
The memory of those who have died in war is enshrined in the walls and monuments that bear their name and serve as a reminder of the ultimate cost of war and the sacrifices made by those who fought for our country.

In the Balkan States, the Gulf and close to home,
The atrocities of war and its consequences are felt everywhere, not just in faraway lands but also in our homes and neighbourhoods, reminding us of the connectedness of our world and the responsibility we share in creating a more peaceful and just world.

On not so foreign islands out on city streets,
The implications of war and the need for peace are not confined to foreign lands, but also affect our daily lives, communities, and cities, creating a need for a more thoughtful and ethical approach to conflict resolution.

Mr President, just tell me why I'm here,
As a soldier and a citizen, I seek to understand the true reasoning and motivation behind the decisions made regarding war and its consequences so that I can reconcile my own experience with my political identity and beliefs.

This is my question, this is my life, this is my address,
The meaning and purpose of my life and my service to this country is a question that haunts me and requires an honest and open reflection from those in power.

Mr President,
The appeal and demand for truth, honesty, and transparency is directed at those in power who hold the key to unlocking the mysteries and true costs of war.

Mr President, Mr President,
The repetition of the address serves to underline the urgency and critical importance of the issue of war and its consequences, and a demand for a more meaningful and ethical engagement with it.

This is my address, this is my address, this is my address,
The repetition of the phrase underscores the idea of the address as a plea, a demand, and a testimony to the human cost of war and the need for a more honest and ethical approach to it.

Mr President,
The appeal and demand is directed at those in positions of power who have the ability to shape and influence the country's policies and values.