Masters of War

I learned of this song when I was doing some extra research on Bob Dylan for my American Studies Class, and I absolutely love it. Bob Dylan is a master lyricist and probably the best American Lyricist ever. Here's the song:

Come you masters of war, You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes, You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls, You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know, I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin', But build to destroy
You play with my world, Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand, And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther, When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old, You lie and deceive
A world war can be won, You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes, And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water, That runs down my drain

You fasten the triggers, For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch, When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion, As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies, And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear, That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children, Into the world
For threatening my baby, Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood, That runs in your veins

How much do I know, To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young, You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know, Though I'm younger than you
Even Jesus would never, Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question, Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness, Do you think that it could
I think you will find, When your death takes its toll
All the money you made, Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die, And your death'll come soon
I will follow your casket, In the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered, Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand o'er your grave, 'Til I'm sure that you're dead.

What I like most about this song is the almost universal context that its delivered. It was obviously written on the brink of the Vietnam War. However, the lyrics can be compared to any war that we've ever had (give or take technological differences). And this is especially relevant to our current situation.

Unfortunately, Bob Dylan isn't really a good singer, and in my opinion his voice doesn't do justice to his lyrics. So I would highly recommend listening to Pearl Jam's version.