No Parade
Minutemen Lyrics


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Having to fight
Having to kill
Having to see blood to spill
So this is what it's all about
It's not john wayne in a movie
There are no parades fr these heroes
And all I line up are the widows
War is real
When death is made with steel




I don't want to see it
I can't believe in it

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Minutemen's song No Parade evoke the raw reality of war - the fact that soldiers have to fight, kill, and witness bloodshed firsthand. The singer muses on the difference between the glorified, heroic portrayals of war in movies with the stark, brutal truth of the battlefield. There are no parades for these heroes, only widows left behind to mourn their loved ones. By the end of the song, the singer expresses his own distaste for war and his inability to believe in it.


The song's powerful message is conveyed through its straightforward lyrics and stark musical style. Minutemen were known for their minimalist, punk-influenced sound, and No Parade is no exception. The repetitive guitar riff, driving bassline, and pounding drums contribute to the song's urgent, urgent feel. The stripped-down musical style allows the lyrics to take center stage and emphasizes the sense of stark reality they convey.


Line by Line Meaning

Having to fight
Being compelled to engage in combat or struggle against an adversary


Having to kill
Being obligated to cause the death of an enemy or opponent


Having to see blood to spill
Being required to witness the shedding of blood


So this is what it's all about
Realizing that the purpose of the conflict is to impose one's will on the other party


It's not john wayne in a movie
Recognizing that the reality of war is different from the glorified portrayal in films


There are no parades for these heroes
Acknowledging that those who fight and sacrifice in wars often go unrecognized and uncelebrated


And all I line up are the widows
Lamenting that the only outcome of war is the loss and suffering of loved ones left behind


War is real
Emphasizing the harsh reality of the atrocities and destruction caused by war


When death is made with steel
Describing the brutal way in which death is inflicted in times of war


I don't want to see it
Expressing a desire to avoid the horrors of war and the toll it takes on both sides


I can't believe in it
Questioning the rationale for engaging in conflict and causing such destruction and devastation




Contributed by Dominic A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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