CATEGORIES » MEANING OF THE SONG

The meaning of the lyrics of the song "Cenotaph" by the artist "This Heat"

The lyrics of "Cenotaph" by This Heat are a bitter reflection on the cyclical nature of war and how quickly the ideals of peace and remembrance are replaced by new conflicts.

The song begins with the statement: "History repeats itself." This statement frames the entire text, emphasizing its main idea. Next comes a description of Remembrance Day - a day dedicated to the memory of those who fell in wars. However, the irony is that this day, designed to remind us of the value of peace, is described in the context of "the war to end all wars" - a phrase that became a bitter mockery after the outbreak of World War II.

The images of poppies, traditionally symbolizing spilled blood, and the mention of "fields full of poppies," further reinforce the feeling of tragedy and senselessness of war. The song emphasizes that despite promises and hopes, history repeats itself, and one war is inevitably followed by another.

The second part of the song, quoting lines from popular war songs, creates a contrast between optimistic expectations and harsh reality. Phrases like "When the lights go on again", "Sons come home", "A kiss won't mean 'goodbye'" are filled with hope and joy. However, knowing the context - the cenotaph, a monument to an empty tomb - we understand that many sons will not return, and the promises of a peaceful future will remain empty words.

Thus, "Cenotaph" is not just a song about war, it is a reflection on the fragility of peace, how easily the lessons of the past are forgotten, and how quickly the rhetoric of memory and grief is replaced by new calls to violence. The song leaves the listener with a sense of unease and uncertainty about the future, emphasizing that history repeats itself and we need to be vigilant to break this vicious cycle.

History repeats itself

Remembrance sunday,

A war to end all wars.

And the war that came after that,

To keep freedom's flag flying

Lest we forget

The glorious dead,

Poppy day, remember poppies are red

And the fields are full of poppies

History repeats itself

And when the lights go on again

All over the world,

And when the boys come home again,

All over the world

Rain and snow will be all that fall,

From out of the sky

A kiss won't mean goodbye,

When Johnny comes marching home

More Articles
The lyrics of "Makeshift Swahili" by This Heat are a reflection on misunderstanding and its consequences, particularly in the context of colonialism and cultural exchange.The song opens with a personal experience the narrator is listening to someone singing in German, a language they don't understand
In the song "A Strange Encounter" by Thirteen Senses, the lyrics explore a complex relationship between two entities that seem foreign to each other, yet feel strangely connected.The lyrical protagonist questions whether they are friends and if their purpose is truly to support and protect those they address
Thirdstory's "On and On" is a bittersweet anthem about the fleeting nature of love and the yearning to hold onto a precious moment forever.The lyrics paint a picture of lovers passionately dancing under the open sky, from dusk till dawn
The song "Jumper" by Third Eye Blind is about a friend who is on the edge, possibly contemplating suicide ("step back from that ledge my friend"). The lyrical hero sees his pain ("barely holding on to what he used to be") and despair ("a light bulb in a graveyard")
Third Eye Blind's "I Want You" is an anthem of passion and obsession intertwined with existential reflections.The song opens with the author speaking of disillusionment and loss of innocence ("Kids are going to sing, but then their voices break in two"), as well as the difficulty of finding truth ("People always step upon the truth")
"Run to You" by Third Day conveys a profound longing for a return to God after a period of wandering and disillusionment.The lyrics depict a person weary of the emptiness and superficiality of the world ("live in a place not meant for me")
Feedback: mail@wikimeaning.com
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
About Wikimeaning