Strongly interested and outspoken about green anarchism issues the band have built up a strong and devoted fanbase, despite being nearly universally ignored by mainstream critics. The band have been spokespeople for a number of issues including campaigning against the Criminal Justice Act (and its measures against rave parties) and various anti-capitalist and environmental issues. They continue to tour extensively around Britain and Europe but maintain a mutual dislike with the music press which stems from their early days.
The Recruiting Sergeant
Levellers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And over the sea
By Hercules transporter
To fight the Afghani
With a rifle in my hand
To set the country free
But it′s your picture in my pocket
That means everything to me
So I've fixed-up the alarm
And broken halfway in
When the security guard appears
And busts me on the chin
And he kicks me ′round and says
"Do you know the shit you're in?"
I said, "I was on me arse mate"
Meant no offence to him
I was over the mountains
And over the sea
By Hercules transporter
To fight the Afghani
With a rifle in my hand
To set the country free
But it's your picture in my pocket
That means everything to me
I know I let you down babe
Trying to make ends meet
When I met this recruiting sergeant
By the courthouse on the street
And he said, "You′re a disgrace boy
And that′s your fucking crime"
Then somebody got the drinks in
And I signed on the dotted line
And I was over the mountains
And over the sea
By Hercules transporter
To fight the Afghani
With a rifle in my hand
To set the country free
But it's your picture in my pocket
That means everything to me
Now I′m sucking dust in Helmand
Dug in to Lashkar Gar
Where the local weed and opium
Beats any British bar
I know as we lay there dreaming
I'm still in the pay of thieves
And I′m rushing back to be with you
Upon this desert breeze
It's blowing over the mountains
And over the sea
By Hercules transporter
To fight the Afghani
With a rifle in my hand
To set the country free
But it′s your picture in my pocket
That means everything to me
Don't follow me to die boys
In bloody Kandahar
With the eerie glow of tracers
Lighting every wretched scar
Who will say a prayer for me
And cry each year this day?
If you see a recruiting sergeant boys
Run, run away
Run over the mountains
And over the sea
By Hercules transporter
To fight the Afghani
With a rifle in my hand
To set the country free
But it's your picture in my pocket
That means everything to me
And it′s over the mountains
And over the sea
By Hercules transporter
To fight the Afghani
With a rifle in my hand
To set the country free
But it′s your picture in my pocket
That means everything to me
It's your picture in my pocket
That means everything to me
The Levellers' song "The Recruiting Sergeant" tells the story of a soldier who is torn between his duty to his country and his love for his partner. The soldier is a young man who has been recruited to fight in Afghanistan. He is proud of his service and feels that he is fighting for a noble cause, but at the same time, he is deeply conflicted by the separation from his loved one. The song highlights the struggle that many soldiers face, between the desire to serve their country and the need to maintain relationships and connections at home.
The lyrics of the song are rich in symbolism, with imagery of mountains, seas, transporters, rifles, and pockets. These symbols represent the soldier's journey, his mission, his weaponry, and the keepsake of his cherished partner. The reference to "Hercules transporter" also alludes to the British military transport aircraft, which is commonly used to transport troops to conflict zones.
Furthermore, the song shows the grim realities of the military life, as the soldier is subjected to violence, harsh treatment, and the use of drugs. The song shows the soldier's vulnerability and his need for love and companionship amidst the chaos of war.
In summary, "The Recruiting Sergeant" is a poignant commentary on the complexities of military service and the emotional toll it takes on soldiers and their loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Over the mountains
I am being sent to a far off land, most likely Afghanistan, to fight in a war.
And over the sea
The journey to this foreign land will require a long and treacherous sea journey.
By Hercules transporter
The military will be using large aircrafts to transport us to our destination.
To fight the Afghani
The enemy we are fighting in this war are the people of Afghanistan.
With a rifle in my hand
I will be carrying and using a gun to fight against the enemy.
To set the country free
The main goal of this war is to free the Afghani people and establish a new government.
But it's your picture in my pocket
The soldier is leaving a loved one behind and their picture is a source of comfort and motivation.
That means everything to me
The love for the person in the picture is what will make the soldier perseveres through tough times and be a motivation to return home.
I know I let you down babe
The soldier feels guilty for leaving their loved one behind to fight in the war.
Trying to make ends meet
The soldier was struggling financially and may have turned to the military for a steady income.
When I met this recruiting sergeant
The soldier was approached by a recruiter, who convinced them to join the military.
By the courthouse on the street
The recruiting sergeant found the soldier in a public place, most likely recruiting them from a civilian area.
And he said, 'You′re a disgrace boy
The recruiting sergeant used shame and guilt to persuade the soldier to join the military.
And that′s your fucking crime
The recruiting sergeant is implying that not joining the military is a crime and the soldier should feel guilty for considering not joining.
Then somebody got the drinks in
The recruiter bought drinks for the soldier and possibly other potential recruits to seal the deal.
And I signed on the dotted line
The soldier officially agreed to join the military, signing their name on the contract.
Now I′m sucking dust in Helmand
The soldier is stationed in Helmand, Afghanistan where they are experiencing harsh living conditions.
Dug in to Lashkar Gar
The soldier is stationed in Lashkar Gar, Afghanistan where they are in a defensive position.
Where the local weed and opium
The place where the soldier is stationed is home to drug trade and consumption, which creates a unique situation for soldiers to navigate.
Beats any British bar
The drugs in Afghanistan are strong and addictive and better than the alcohol available to the British soldiers.
I know as we lay there dreaming
The soldier is thinking about their loved one back home while laying in their temporary sleeping area.
I'm still in the pay of thieves
The soldier is reflecting on the fact that they are working for a government that is corrupt and often involved in illegal activities.
And I′m rushing back to be with you
The soldier is eager to return home to their loved one.
Upon this desert breeze
The soldier envisions returning home to their loved one with the wind from the desert bringing them home.
Don't follow me to die boys
The soldier is warning his fellow soldiers to not follow him to their death.
In bloody Kandahar
Kandahar, a province in Afghanistan, has been the site of many fierce battles in this war.
With the eerie glow of tracers
Tracers are bullets that emit light as they travel, and seeing them fly past can be a haunting and eerie experience.
Lighting every wretched scar
The tracers light up the battle-scarred landscape, making it seem even more devastating.
Who will say a prayer for me
The soldier wonders who will pray for him if he dies in the war.
And cry each year this day?
The soldier wonders who will mourn his death on the anniversary of his death.
If you see a recruiting sergeant boys
The soldier is warning others to beware of recruiters who will try and convince them to join the military.
Run, run away
The soldier advises others to avoid joining the military so they do not end up in the same position as him.
It's your picture in my pocket
The picture of his loved one is still providing comfort and motivation to the soldier.
That means everything to me
The soldier reaffirms that his love for his partner is what will get him through the tough times of being deployed.
Writer(s): Jonathan Sevink, Charles Heather, Jeremy Cunningham, Matthew Savage, Simon Friend, Mark Chadwick, Trad
Contributed by Daniel P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@noddytiddlywinks6873
as a vet....THANK YOU for caring about the lads n lasses
@wert7773
The war is over, regardless of victory or defeat
I hope you will rest well, British soldiers
-2021 August
@noddytiddlywinks6873
lest we forget
@dsmith4658
ANOTHER WAR FOUGHTFOR NOTTHING
@Wesley-1776
Sent here by a comment on a Rimmy down under video.
@megankeith2148
A cheery tune for a song and video that always leaves me feeling absolutely gutted and crying.
@jimboc57
Megan Keith this without a tear in the eye .Great tune.
@jimboc57
jim cockram cant listen to
@patkelly8309
I wouldn't keep listening to something that left me feeling gutted and crying. I love this song but not watched this vid before.
@jaidengabriel1675
Sent by rimmy