Mid-tempo acoustic guitar with a simple groove.
Story behind the song
In 1991 I was naively hoping that my country would never go to war again in my life time. This song reflected how I felt when the Gulf War started. In 2007, four years into the Iraq War, I made a few changes to the lyrics and finally recorded this demo.
Lyrics
A man I never met is killing people I don’t hate
With weapons that I paid for, but I don’t have a receipt
Or I would take ‘em all back to the Department of Complaints and say,
I need a refund; this is a mistake.
But my anarchist heart tells me this is your fault.
They sent you a bill. You gave them everything they asked for.
You filled out the form and said, Leave me alone.
When you should have said, Leave me in peace.
I licked the stamp like it was a boot.
Mailed off a check to an address in Utah.
I watch the war. I taste the mucilage
Sticking to my tongue like a cold bomber fuselage.
And my anarchist heart… (etc.)
I protest. I complain.
I e-mail cartoons to friends who feel the same.
I can shake my head, but not the blame.
I can shake my fist, but it’s not the same.
And I make a peace sign and there’s blood on my hands.
I’m out of step with all these marching bands
Banging on a bass drum like Khrushchev’s shoe
When my heart beats a rhythm that you can’t march to. (4X)
And my anarchist heart… (etc.)