Girl in the War
Josh Ritter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
"All those words that we wrote
Are just the rules of the game and the rules are the first to go"
But now talkin' to God is Laurel beggin' Hardy for a gun
I gotta girl in the war, man I wonder what it is we done
Paul said to Petey
"You gotta rock yourself a little harder,
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire"
And I got a girl in the war, Paul the only thing I know to do
Is turn up the music and pray that she makes it through
Because the keys to the kingdom got locked inside the kingdom
And the angels fly around in there, but we can't see them
And I gotta girl in the war, Paul I know that they can hear me yell
If they can't find a way to help, they can go to Hell
If they can't find a way to help her, they can go to Hell
Paul to Petey "you gotta rock yourself a little harder,
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire"
But I gotta girl in the war, Paul her eyes are like champagne
They sparkle, bubble over, in the morning all you got is rain
Sparkle, bubble over, in the morning all you got is rain
They sparkle, bubble over, in the morning all you got is rain
The lyrics of Josh Ritter's song "Girl in the War" are a poignant commentary on the futility and heartbreak of war. The song is narrated through a conversation between two people, Peter and Paul, who discuss the nature of words and rules, while acknowledging the devastation that war can bring. The conversation then turns to the narrator's personal connection to the war, as he reveals that he has a girl he cares about who is caught up in it. The message of the song is that even though people are powerless to stop wars, they can still love and care for those affected by them.
The lyrics "All those words that we wrote / Are just the rules of the game and the rules are the first to go" are referring to the idea that words and rules are just constructs, and in situations like war, they often become meaningless. When Laurel is "begging Hardy for a gun," it is a reference to the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, who were known for their slapstick humor. However, in this context, it takes on a darker tone, as the idea of begging someone for a gun suggests the desperation and hopelessness of the situation.
The most emotional and poetic section of the song is the final verses, where the narrator describes his love interest. The line "Her eyes are like champagne / They sparkle, bubble over, in the morning all you got is rain" is a metaphor for fleeting happiness that will inevitably be replaced by sadness, a reflection of the impact of war on human relationships. Overall, the song shows that even though we may feel powerless to stop war, we can still find ways to express love and care for those caught up in it.
Line by Line Meaning
Peter said to Paul
Two people are implied to be having a conversation
"All those words that we wrote
Are just the rules of the game and the rules are the first to go"
The speaker acknowledges that what is said or written doesn't really matter much in the end
But now talkin' to God is Laurel beggin' Hardy for a gun
It's absurd to ask for divine help in a seemingly hopeless situation
I gotta girl in the war, man I wonder what it is we done
The speaker is worried about the fate of someone they care about, and feels responsible for putting them in a dangerous situation
Paul said to Petey
"You gotta rock yourself a little harder,
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire"
In order to cope with difficult circumstances, one must find a way to motivate themselves with a sense of urgency and power
And I got a girl in the war, Paul the only thing I know to do
Is turn up the music and pray that she makes it through
The speaker feels helpless to directly influence the outcome of the situation, but hopes that positive vibes might help
Because the keys to the kingdom got locked inside the kingdom
And the angels fly around in there, but we can't see them
There is a sense of disconnect between ourselves and the resources that could help us
And I gotta girl in the war, Paul I know that they can hear me yell
If they can't find a way to help, they can go to Hell
If they can't find a way to help her, they can go to Hell
The speaker is exasperated and feels like he's out of options- if higher powers can't lend a hand, he doesn't know what could ever work
Paul to Petey "you gotta rock yourself a little harder,
Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire"
In case it wasn't clear the first time, the message is to maintain a sense of urgency
But I gotta girl in the war, Paul her eyes are like champagne
They sparkle, bubble over, in the morning all you got is rain
Sparkle, bubble over, in the morning all you got is rain
They sparkle, bubble over, in the morning all you got is rain
The speaker is fixated on one specific quality of the person they care about, though they're aware that this quality might not be a reliable indicator of how things will turn out
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Josh Ritter
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Born to two neuroscientists, Ritter bought his first guitar from the local K-MART after hearing the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash classic Girl From The North Country. Read Full BioJosh Ritter (born in Moscow, Idaho on October 21, 1976) is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and author who performs and records with The Royal City Band (as Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band). Ritter is known for his distinctive Americana style and narrative lyrics. In 2006 he was named one of the "100 Greatest Living Songwriters" by Paste magazine.
Born to two neuroscientists, Ritter bought his first guitar from the local K-MART after hearing the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash classic Girl From The North Country. He started at Oberlin College with the intent to follow in his parents' scientist footsteps, but instead discovered songwriting, and the music of artists like Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt, and Leonard Cohen. He graduated and then moved east, favoring its close proximity to historic folk clubs such as "Club Passim" in Boston. On a shoestring budget he recorded his critically acclaimed breakthrough album Golden Age of Radio in 2002 at various tiny, one-room studios on the East Coast. He has continued to grow from there, further developing his sound on subsequent albums.
Josh has recorded several records and E.P.s. In chronological order, they are:
Josh Ritter (Self Titled) (2000)
Golden Age of Radio (2001)
Come and Find Me EP (2003)
Hello Starling (2003)
4 Songs Live E.P. (2005)
The Animal Years (2006)
Girl In The War E.P. (2006)
Good Man E.P. (2006)
In The Dark: Live At Vicar Street (2006)
The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter (2007)
Live at the Record Exchange EP (2008)
So Runs the World Away (2010)
To the Yet Unknowing World (2011)
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Live at The Iveagh Gardens (April 2011)
The Beast In Its Tracks (2013)
Acoustic Live, Vol.1 (2015)
Sermon on the Rocks (2015)
Jenny Goodall
What a powerful song! I have been moved by it since 2006. Thanks for posting it!
My favorite lines include:
"Peter said to Paul, 'You know all those words we wrote /
Are just the rules of the game and the rules are the first to go.'"
"Now talking to God is Laurel begging Hardy for a gun."
"I know that they can hear me yell /
If they can't find a way to help her /
They can go to hell."
Betty Basche
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HEARD THIS SONG. IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
Julie A
I so appreciate you posting all his albums. Going to see him live again in January and I'm already preparing!
indy_go_blue60
The irony is hearing a man singing of his beloved being off in combat instead of the usual reverse. Beautifully done. I especially love "... her eyes are like champagne, they sparkle bubble over in the morning all you've got is rain"... life devoid of meaning, like a bottle of champagne that's gone flat.
andrew stahl
My take is that this is a clear critique of of modern life full seeming godlessness, corruption, wars, and loss of virtues and historical values..namely all the words and meanings attributed to Christianity (ie love thy neighbor, love, hope ,faith)
....Peter and Paul are the founders of the churches of Christ ( Catholic and Orthodox). For nearly 1500 years these were the only heads of Christianity. The church has been referred to as (Christ's bride). The church(or the doctrines of Christianity is the "Girl in the war." . The Church is God's kingdom on earth, we are the church. The church and the world has fallen away from christianity and virtue. I think indy's analysis is pretty intersting as well.
Lost Amongst Stars
indy_go_blue60 the war is the war in heaven. Peter and Paul are from the Bible. The kingdom of heaven is inside hence why he sings "the keys to the kingdom got locked inside the kingdom and the Angels fly around in there but we can't see them" we're all just vessels, I guess Peter got a girl. "Turn up the music and pray that she makes it through." In the Bible some people can hear prophecy or God through music, music is an important part of the Bible. I'm not talking just church music, all music. "Turn up the music and pray that she makes it through." I guess she hears them and can't handle it it so she cries. I'm not a religious nut, I'm just telling the meaning of the song as I understand it.
Danilo
such a good song and it fits so well with mourning dove
Didi
God i love this song...
Jenny Goodall
What a powerful song! I have been moved by it since 2006. Thanks for posting it!
My favorite lines include:
"Peter said to Paul, 'You know all those words we wrote /
Are just the rules of the game and the rules are the first to go.'"
"Now talking to God is Laurel begging Hardy for a gun."
"I know that they can hear me yell /
If they can't find a way to help her /
They can go to hell."
TheAboriginal
I am still in love with this song. Still. And forever.
MrCrompton 33012
i love this song