Aspiring musician and scenester Bob Markley managed to join the group the Laughing Wind in exchange for his connections in the music industry and substantial bankroll. The original five-piece line-up consisted of Michael Lloyd (rhythm guitar, vocals), Shaun Harris (bass guitar, vocals, Danny Harris (lead guitar, vocals), John Ware (drums), and Markley (tambourine, vocals). Although Markley possessed the least musical talent, his expertise in law enabled him to assume control of the group's name and publishing, which generated a divide in the WCPAEB's creative mindset.
The band debuted with the album Volume One in 1966 on the small FiFo record label. In the early years of the group, much was made of the WCPAEB's elaborate psychedelic light shows, which became the focal point of their live performances in Los Angeles. Following the release of Volume One, the WCPAEB signed with Reprise Records, recording three albums with the company, including arguably their most accomplished work Volume 3: A Child's Guide to Good and Evil in 1968. Two additional albums, Where's My Daddy? and Markley, A Group, were distributed on independent labels before the group disbanded in 1970.
A Child Of A Few Hours Is Burning To Death
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is burning to death
Her eyes are full of smoke
Her mouth is full of fire
Napalm is perfect
For women and children
Forgive us, Forgive us
They like to watch fires
Pretend it's not happening
It will be clipped
Out of tomorrow's news show
After the funeral after the feast, baby
With so many bodies at our feet
We should have called Suzy and Bobby
They like to watch fires
We all are nothing
But soft moist people
With soft moist hands
Folded over our buttons
Silently sleeping
Cold and unmoving and doing nothing
We should have called Suzy and Bobby
They like to watch fires
A child of a few hours
Is burning to death
Her eyes are full of smoke
Her mouth is full of fire
The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band's song, A Child Of A Few Hours Is Burning To Death, is a haunting and jarring depiction of war and the atrocities that occur within it. The lyrics describe the burning of a child, with her eyes full of smoke and her mouth full of fire, as a result of the use of napalm - a weapon that was notoriously used by the United States during the Vietnam War. The chorus then repeats the line, "Forgive us, forgive us," indicating not only the guilt and remorse of the singer, but also the culpability of those in power who allowed - and even sanctioned - such acts to occur.
The song also references the apathy and complacency of society, as illustrated through the lines, "Pretend it's not happening, it will be clipped out of tomorrow's news show." The image of Suzy and Bobby - whom the singer believes would enjoy watching the fire - highlights the voyeuristic fascination that some have with violence and destruction. The final verse concludes with the stark realization that we are all complicit in these acts of violence, yet we remain "cold and unmoving and doing nothing."
Line by Line Meaning
A child of a few hours
A newborn baby, barely alive for a few hours
Is burning to death
Is dying by burning alive
Her eyes are full of smoke
Smoke has filled her eyes and obstructed her vision
Her mouth is full of fire
Flames have engulfed her mouth, causing her unbearable pain
Napalm is perfect
The chemical weapon napalm is the perfect tool for attacking helpless women and children
For women and children
It is particularly effective against those who are weak and defenseless
Forgive us, Forgive us
A plea for forgiveness for the inhumane act of using napalm on innocent people
We should have called Suzy and Bobby
A sarcastic comment alluding to the desire of some to enjoy watching tragic events
They like to watch fires
They enjoy watching destruction and chaos
Pretend it's not happening
A suggestion to ignore the tragedy occurring and avoid being emotionally affected by it
It will be clipped
The incident will be recorded and broadcasted by media outlets for their own benefit
Out of tomorrow's news show
The incident will be part of a news program the following day
After the funeral after the feast, baby
The tragedy will be forgotten after time passes and life goes on
With so many bodies at our feet
The destruction this action caused is evident by the amount of dead bodies
We all are nothing
Human beings are insignificant and powerless
But soft moist people
A descriptive phrase referring to human beings as fragile, vulnerable creatures
With soft moist hands
Further emphasizing the physical weakness of humans, as hands are one of the most important tools we use
Folded over our buttons
A symbolic gesture implying submission and inaction
Silently sleeping
Humans are apathetic and unaware of the injustices of the world
Cold and unmoving and doing nothing
Human indifference and lack of empathy is the root of many evils
Contributed by Ryan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.