Best known as founding members of the spirited and unpredictable rock trio The Slip, brothers Andrew and Brad Barr had spent most of the 90s criss-crossing North America. In the spring of 2004, the band was playing a small club in Montreal, QC when a fire broke out in the venue. They grabbed a few guitars/drums and rushed out onto the rainy street with the rest of the concert goers. As the club's mezzanine was swallowed by flames, Andrew offered his coat to one of the waitresses from the bar. One year later, Brad and Andrew Barr were living in Montreal. That waitress is now one of their managers.
In his first apartment in the new city, Brad shared an adjoining wall with Sarah Page, a classically-trained harpist from Montreal, whose melodies would seep through the cracks of the wall and into the music Brad was writing. From this nebulous relationship, a friendship developed and the brothers, with Sarah, began recording and performing around Montreal. Soon, their friend and multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial was brought in to lend his wide array of expertise to the outfit, playing keyboards, bass, vibes, percussion, and singing. In 2006 they began to call themselves The Barr Brothers.
Ready for War
The Barr Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm as wrong as I am free
And Saint Cecilia
Holds a candle out for me
Its an obligated offer
But I'll accept it just the same
It's better than trying
I'm not... see more
The Barr Brothers' song "Ready for War" is a poignant expression of the internal strife and external conflict that can consume a person's consciousness. The opening lines, "In the violence of the morning, I'm as wrong as I am free," set the tone for a song that confronts the harsh realities of life head-on. The juxtaposition of violence and freedom captures the paradoxical nature of a society that values both security and liberty. The singer of the song seems lost in this duality, unsure of how to navigate the treacherous waters of his own psyche.
The reference to Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of musicians, adds another layer of meaning to the song. She is often portrayed holding a harp, symbolizing the power of music to soothe the soul. In this context, her candle could be interpreted as a symbol of hope, a light in the darkness that guides the singer through his struggles. The lines "It's an obligated offer, but I'll accept it just the same" suggest a readiness to embrace whatever solace is available, even if it is not entirely sincere.
Overall, "Ready for War" is a powerful meditation on the human experience, and the ways in which we cope with pain, trauma, and uncertainty.
Line by Line Meaning
In the violence of the morning
During the chaotic beginning of the day
I'm as wrong as I am free
I am as flawed as I am liberated
And Saint Cecilia
Referring to the patron saint of musicians and church music
Holds a candle out for me
Providing guidance or hope
Its an obligated offer
It is a duty or responsibility
But I'll accept it just the same
However, I will still receive it
It's better than trying
Doing something is more advantageous than remaining idle
Not to feel anyone else's pain
Avoiding empathy for others' agony
I'm not ready, I'm not ready for war
I am not prepared to deal with the conflicts that arise
Writer(s): Philip Bradford Barr, Andrew Gilmore Barr, Sarah Paga
Contributed by Ethan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jamiemasters7401
"Saint Cecilia holds a candle out for me..."
That's a good prayer for a singer. Cecilia is the patron of musicians.
It hits me too, because my first school when I was young was Saint Cecilia's Elementary. To me this line is about keeping the sureness and steadfast dreams of those younger and simpler days, at St. Cecilia's, as an anchor as I grow.
Love the Barrs. These guys make me proud to be Canadian and happy I listen to this kind of music.
@ashleyupperton455
I love this song. Reminds me of Floyd’s Great Gig in the Sky the way the female vocal comes in. Superb and a great album. Thank you Barr Bros.
@patamos6931
I'm just now slowing down after a couple of years movin way too fast, and i just happened upon this album. Thank you Barr Brothers for keeping it real...
@inaki-np
This song is so good, and the album is magnificent!
@TheKatMillsShow
Beautiful.
@Gracieee143AP
one of my favourites of theirs
@alegreenfeld
Incroyable!?!?!
@lukelicini2060
This should have a billion views
@saniasinha10
--Lyrics--In the violence of the morning
I'm as wrong as I am free
And Saint Cecilia
Holds a candle out for me
Its an obligated offer
But I'll accept it just the same
It's better than trying
Not to feel anyone else's pain
I'm not talking about beauty
Don't feel like speaking anymore
Cause when it finds me
I'm ready for war
I'm ready for war
I'm ready for war
Now they're burning down the temples
Of some long forgotten grace
And Shiva sits
With that look upon her face
If you think you're done pretending
That you don't feel it anymore
And win or lose
Say I'm ready for war
I'm ready for war
The heart screams
Is this what you wanted?
Blood on your hands
To feel something of your own
Everybody does
It was raining in Savannah
And you kept your apron on
While we danced slowly
To that Van Morrison song
Well you brought me to the vanguard
Let me see behind the door
And in my fury
I said I'm ready for war
I'm ready for war
I'm ready for war