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Drink Before The War lyrics

Sinead O'Connor

Well, you tell us that we're wrong
And you tell us not to sing our song
Nothing we can say will make you see
You got a heart of stone, you can never feel

You say "oh I'm not afraid - it can't happen to me
I've lived my life as a good man
Oh, no you're out of your mind - It won't happen to me
'Cos I've carried my weight and I've been a strong man"

Listen to the man in the liquor store
Yelling "anybody want a drink before the war?"

And your parents paid you through
You got a nice big car, nothing bothers you
Somebody cut out your eyes, you refuse to see
Somebody cut out your heart, you refuse to feel

And you live in a shell
You create your own hell
You live in the past
And talk about war

And you dig your own grave yeah
But it's a life you can save
So stop getting fast
It's not gonna happen

And you'll cry but you'll never fall - no, no, no
You're building a wall
Gotta break it down
Start again

No, no, no - It won't happen to us
We've lived our lives
Basically we've been good men

So stop talking of war
Cause you know we've heard it all before
Why don't you go out there
And do something useful

Oh listen to the man in the liquor store
Yelling "anybody want to drink before the war?"
"Anybody want to drink before the war?"
"Anybody want to drink before the war?"

Song Details

Songwriter: Sinead O'Connor

Brief: 'Drink Before the War' is a political song that touches on themes of Irish history, conflict, and the emotional toll of war. The lyrics reflect O'Connor's thoughts on the political landscape of Northern Ireland and the deeply rooted divisions caused by the ongoing conflict, particularly during the Troubles, a period of intense political and sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

The song’s title refers to the idea of having a drink before the war, which could symbolize the fleeting moments of peace or an attempt to calm the tensions before an inevitable confrontation.

Genre: Alternative rock

Album: The Lion and the Cobra

Recorded: 1986–1987

Released: October 5, 1987

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