In 2007 Tony McPhee once again put a working band together for live concerts.
Soldier
The Groundhogs Lyrics
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'Cos you won't have time, when they start to climb the hill, y'know.
Soldier, when you see 8,000 climbin' up on you,
Don't see them as men, just see them as enemies of the king, y'know.
Soldier, Don't think of runnin', your death is just as sure.
If you don't face it now, you'll face it anyhow in front of the squad, y'know.
Soldier, stand firm in your trenches, don't let them break the line.
Because these dirty Hun are all bastard whore'sons not fit to live, don't you know.
The Groundhogs' song "Soldier" is a commentary on the experiences of a soldier during wartime. The song's lyrics reflect on the importance of being prepared for battle and remaining steadfast in the face of overwhelming odds.
The song begins with the singer being told to "fix [his] bayonet before the enemy come." This line suggests that the soldier must be ready for battle at all times, as he may not have the chance to prepare once the fighting begins. The lyric "cos you won't have time, when they start to climb the hill, y'know" reinforces this idea, highlighting the suddenness of violent conflict.
As the song progresses, the soldier is instructed to view his opponents not as people, but as "enemies of the king." This sentiment is a common one in wartime, where the enemy is often dehumanized in order to make it easier for soldiers to kill them. The line "Don't think of runnin', your death is just as sure / If you don't face it now, you'll face it anyhow in front of the squad, y'know" serves as a warning that no soldier can escape the dangers of war.
Finally, the song encourages soldiers to stand firm in their positions and "not let them break the line." The lyric "these dirty Hun are all bastard whore'sons not fit to live, don't you know" is a clear reference to the German army during World War I, and reflects the jingoistic attitude that dominated wartime propaganda.
Overall, "Soldier" is a powerful commentary on the horrors of war and the experiences of soldiers during times of conflict.
Line by Line Meaning
Soldier, fix your bayonet before the enemy come,
Soldier, prepare yourself for battle and ready your bayonet, as the enemy will attack at any given moment.
'Cos you won't have time, when they start to climb the hill, y'know.
If you do not prepare beforehand, you will not have enough time to ready yourself when the enemy starts attacking and invading your territory.
Soldier, when you see 8,000 climbin' up on you,
When faced with the daunting sight of thousands of enemy soldiers advancing towards you, do not see them as human beings, but as adversaries of your nation.
Don't see them as men, just see them as enemies of the king, y'know.
Refrain from seeing the enemy soldiers as individuals with their own lives and families, but as enemies of your monarch and country.
Soldier, Don't think of runnin', your death is just as sure.
Cowards who flee the battlefield will meet the same inevitable fate as those who stay and fight, which is death.
If you don't face it now, you'll face it anyhow in front of the squad, y'know.
If you do not confront your fears and take part in the battle that is to ensue, your cowardice will reveal itself in front of your platoon and tarnish your reputation forever.
Soldier, stand firm in your trenches, don't let them break the line.
As a soldier, it is imperative that you keep your ground and prevent the enemy from penetrating your defence and overcoming you and your fellow soldiers.
Because these dirty Hun are all bastard whore'sons not fit to live, don't you know.
The enemy soldiers are not worthy of life or respect and using degrading terms for them will help you hate them enough to fight back harder and with more fervor.
Contributed by Mia K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.