War Dreams of Itself

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of a society in disarray, repeatedly invoking "Babylon" as a symbol of corruption and impending doom. The opening "Oh, Babylon, Babylon!" sets a tone of lament and foreboding, immediately establishing a sense of decay. This is reinforced by phrases like "overdone and over-out" and the stark image of "folded papers" falling amidst "Babylon Babylon bombs," suggesting a collapse of order and meaning. The central tension seems to revolve around a struggle for awareness amidst this chaos. The repeated refrain "I'm awakened" acts as a defiant counterpoint to the surrounding "gloom" and "schism." This awakening appears to be a personal realization, a shedding of pretense ("Yes, I'm no fake"), and a confrontation with a harsh reality, perhaps symbolized by the ominous "mighty Orcus" and the unsettling "street named 'Disgrace.'" The lyrical craft is marked by striking, almost surreal imagery and a sense of cyclical dread. The juxtaposition of "saints at labor" with "Babylon Babylon bombs" creates a jarring contrast, while the recurring "thrush in the flue" adds an unsettling, domestic intrusion of decay. The "21st-century schism" woven on a "21st-century loom / Of red, white and blue" points to a contemporary, national breakdown, amplified by the strange, almost coded "Six-six-cicada" in the chorus. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their ability to evoke a pervasive sense of unease and a desperate search for clarity. The fragmented, almost nightmarish imagery, combined with the insistent declaration of awakening, creates a powerful emotional resonance. It suggests that even in the face of societal collapse and personal disgrace, there's a profound human drive to see things clearly and to acknowledge the truth, however grim it may manifest.