In 2004 Eric Clapton held a three day festival in Dallas, Texas, called The… Read Full Bio ↴In 2004 Eric Clapton held a three day festival in Dallas, Texas, called The Crossroads Guitar Festival, which featured J.J. Cale. This gave Clapton the opportunity to ask Cale to produce an album for him. The two started working together and eventually decided to record together. A number of high profile musicians also agreed to work on the album, including Billy Preston, Pino Palladino, Derek Trucks, Taj Mahal, John Mayer, and Doyle Bramhall II.

The 14 track CD, entitled the Road to Escondido, was produced and recorded by the duo in August 2005 in California. The resulting music defies being labeled into any one category, but instead finds influence across the spectrum of blues, rock, country and folk. A hybrid sound that is unique musically, while still bearing the signature styles of Cale and Clapton recognized by fans around the world. The songs are warm and rich, with deep flowing rhythms, yet use an economy of words to express much.

When This War Is Over
J.J. Cale & Eric Clapton Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When this war is over
It will be a better day
When this war is over
It will be a better day
But it won't bring back
Those poor boys in their graves

Ain't no sense in no action

Killin' people all the time
Ain't no sense in no action
Killin' people all the time
When it happens on the street
We call that a crime

Man, he can get along
He just won't agree
Who's right and who's wrong
The matter you see

All of those killings
That ain't the way to go
Gotta get a plan
And change our ways you know

When this war is over
It will be a better day
When this war is over
It will be a better day
But it won't bring back
Those poor boys in their graves

When this war is over
It will be a better day
When this war is over
It will be a better day

But it won't bring back
Those poor boys in their graves

Overall Meaning

The song "When This War Is Over" by J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton is a powerful anti-war song that advocates for peace and questions the sense in the constant killing of people. The song suggests that war only brings pain, death and won't bring back the fallen soldiers. The lyrics illustrate how war affects everyone, including those who are not fighting. The line “But it won’t bring back those poor boys in their graves” emphasizes how war only leads to loss and sorrow.

The song portrays a message of hope for a better future after the war. The lyrics suggest that we need to come up with a plan and change our ways to achieve peace. The song also highlights the disagreement and conflict between people, but reminds us that we can all "get along" if we learn to agree to disagree on the matter. The lyrics eloquently describe the need for peace and the futility of war and its attendant destruction.

Overall, "When This War is Over" is a thought-provoking song that challenges our thinking about war and peace. It is a call to action to change our ways and build a better future.

Line by Line Meaning

When this war is over
Once the war ends

It will be a better day
The future will be brighter

When this war is over
Once the war ends

It will be a better day
The future will be brighter

But it won't bring back
However, this will not revive

Those poor boys in their graves
Those young men who lost their lives

Ain't no sense in no action
There is no logic in being violent

Killin' people all the time
Continuously taking human lives

Ain't no sense in no action
There is no logic in being violent

Killin' people all the time
Continuously taking human lives

When it happens on the street
If it occurs in public