Masters of War
One of Dylan's harshest criticisms of war. He tells everyone that war is created by politicians that have no part in the real war.
Important FiguresThe most important figure in this song is the unnamed politicians pulling the strings from the back. This politicians can be anyone. At this time, Dylan was likely talking about Kennedy, but the message is more clear with Johnson. Johnson increased troops in Vietnam by nearly 500% from when he took office after Kennedy's assassination. He also was relentless on policies made to "support" the troops. He called for more strikes, more soldiers, and more violence than had been seen before the war. Of course, Dylan also talks about a world war, likely referring to World War II. Because he was not old enough to remember the fighting, Dylan looked at the effects of World War II, such as the aftermath of nuclear bombs, the moral of the people, and the rise of two superpowers. These sorts of things allow Dylan to prove his points against politicians controlling warfare.
People's ResponseThe song seems to have got bad remarks. Many dislike the actual tone of his voice during the song, which songs raspy and pushed. People also did not seem to connect as much to it because of its more aggressive nature than some of his other songs involving war. Despite this, the song still is a strong point is Dylan's anti-war pieces.
Connected Images |
The SongThis song strongly criticizes war in general and the people who support it. To Dylan, war is not inevitable. It is something that politicians chose to partake in without really caring about the outcome. They are the ones who build the machines needed to destroy, but are no where near where the bullets fly. They move people around like a game piece in a game they created. They tell the media and press that winning a war is good and that it can be won, but the costs outweigh the victory. Thousands of people die in wars on both sides, it creates rifts in the world that are difficult to repair, and it wastes many materials that could have been used elsewhere. Dylan's main criticism is that war robs young people of their future lives. They cannot go on to do things everyone else does. Even those who do survive are often damaged for life. Dylan says that the point of these wars is too often about money. This is absolutely true and too rarely is pointed out. Although this song is very simple, it brings forward points that many people can agree with.
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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
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