When I Fall in Love
Petula Clark & Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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They shall win where others lose
But when man is forced to slay
He is never asked to choose
He must fight for his country
Fight for what he thinks is right
He'll defend his wife and children
Red or yellow, white or brown
All alike, one thought in mind
Who will wear the victor's crown
Never mind the lame and blind
In the pride of their country
Good will triumph in the end
Evil will be brought to justice
On the path of glory Big or little, fat or thin
All are heroes in the end
Unforgivable the sin
To submit, they don't pretend
They will die for their country
They will die for you and me
Amid the pungent smell of death
That's on the path of glory
Why should man be forced to kill
Why should they be made to die
Shattered on some peaceful hill
Torn and bleeding where they lie
Far away from their country
Ask yourself the question now
Why should they be forced to set out
On the path of glory?
The lyrics of Petula Clark's song "On the Path of Glory" explore the themes of patriotism, war, and sacrifice. The opening lines state that the meek shall win where others lose, but when men are forced to kill, they are not asked to choose. The song implies that war is a necessary evil, and that soldiers are heroes who defend their country and families, even if it means sacrificing their lives.
The second verse directly addresses the idea of nationalism, suggesting that different races and ethnicities are united in their desire for victory. The chorus emphasizes the honor of dying for one's country and the belief that good will ultimately prevail over evil. However, the final verse questions the necessity of war altogether, asking why men should be forced to kill and die on a path that leads to destruction and devastation.
Overall, the song presents a complex and nuanced perspective on war and its impact on individual lives. It simultaneously acknowledges the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers while questioning whether war is truly necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
Blessed are the meek they say
People often say that those who are humble and gentle will succeed in life
They shall win where others lose
They will be victorious in situations where others may fail
But when man is forced to slay
However, when a person is required to kill someone else as part of war or violence
He is never asked to choose
There isn't usually a choice given in such situations
He must fight for his country
The person must fight for their nation or patriotism
Fight for what he thinks is right
The individual must defend what they believe is right
He'll defend his wife and children
Additionally, the individual may need to protect their loved ones
On the path of glory
All of this is done in hopes of achieving honor and recognition
Red or yellow, white or brown
Regardless of race, nationality, or ethnicity
All alike, one thought in mind
Everyone has the same objective in mind
Who will wear the victor's crown
The ultimate goal being to win and receive the recognition and glory that comes with being the victor
Never mind the lame and blind
Pity and compassion are often disregarded in the face of achieving victory
In the pride of their country
The people are confident in the honor and worthiness of their nation
Good will triumph in the end
They believe that the ethical or righteous side will ultimately succeed
Evil will be brought to justice
Those who act immorally or wickedly will face the consequences
Big or little, fat or thin
Regardless of size or body type
All are heroes in the end
In the end, anyone who fought will be perceived as heroic
Unforgivable the sin
It is seen as unforgivable to surrender or to not fight to the death
To submit, they don't pretend
They refuse to submit to the enemy or their demands
They will die for their country
They are willing to die for the sake of their nation
They will die for you and me
And for the greater good of society as a whole
Amid the pungent smell of death
In a situation where death is always present
That's on the path of glory
This is the path that is taken to achieve honor and success
Why should man be forced to kill
Asking why people should be compelled to take another person's life
Why should they be made to die
And why people should be obligated to sacrifice their own lives
Shattered on some peaceful hill
Dying on a serene and quiet landscape
Torn and bleeding where they lie
Being harmed to the point of injury and bleeding profusely
Far away from their country
This could occur in a foreign country, miles away from their home nation
Ask yourself the question now
The listener is encouraged to reflect on all that has been said
Why should they be forced to set out
Why should individuals be obliged to take part in war when it may not be their choice
On the path of glory?
Questioning whether the path to achieve honor and success is worth the cost of human life and suffering
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: IAN GRANT, LIONEL RAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind