Hero of War by Rise Against addresses a young soldiers experiences and reflections on warfare, emphasizing the moral dilemmas and devastating consequences of combat. It serves as a critique of warfare and the recruitment of young soldiers, suggesting a setting where idealism meets the brutal reality of the battlefield.
Key: E
EG#m ..."Son, have you seen the world? A Well, what would you say E If I said that you could? A Just carry this gun, E You'll even get paid.". B I said "That sounds pretty good."
E Black leather boots, G#m Spit-shined, so bright. A They cut off my hair, E But it looks alright. A We marched and we sang. E We all became friends, B As we learned how to fight.
C#m A hero of war! A Yeah, that's what I'll be. E And when I come home, B They'll be damn proud of me. C#m I'll carry this flag; A To the grave, if I must. E 'Cause it's a flag that I love B And it's flag that I trust.
E I kicked in the door, G#m I yelled my commands. A The children, they cried, E But I got my man. A We took him away, E A bag over his face, B From his family and his friends.
E They took off his clothes, G#m They pissed in his hands. A I told them to stop, E But then, I joined in. A We beat him with guns E And batons, not just once, B But again and again.
C#m A hero of war! A Yeah, that's what I'll be. E And when I come home, B They'll be damn proud of me. C#m I'll carry this flag; A To the grave, if I must. E 'Cause it's a flag that I love B And I flag that I trust.
EG#m ...walked through bullets and haze. A I asked her to stop; E I begged her to stay. A But she pressed on, E So I lifted my gun B And I fired away...
E And the shells G#m Jumped through the smoke. A And into the sand, E That the blood now had soaked, A She collapsed, E With a flag in her hand. B A flag white as snow.
C#m A hero of war! A Is that what they see? E Just medals and scars? B So damn proud of me. C#m And I brought home that flag. A Now it gathers dust. E But it's a flag that I love. B It's the only flag I trust.
EG#m He said "Son, have you seen the world? A Well, what would you say E If I said that you could?" ************************