I am a veteran of the US Navy. A few years ago my son took me to a Rise Against concert. I had heard the songs from the band that my son played around the house, but then this song came up in the set. This singer came out with an acoustic and played this song. I hate to be the guy to admit that this 50 year old veteran broke down to the point I almost went to my knees over this song. Ever since, it moves me everytime I hear it.
Most important thing in this song is that 2 first verses the flag that he trusts is US flag, but after verse 3 he talks about the white flag (peace) that he brought home and its the only flag he trusts and loves.
Spot on, the whole songwriting choice was to underline the cyclical nature of Armed Forces recruitment here. Move on to the next kid, [T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r s e r v i c e].
6:50 You missed it my guy… “She collapsed, with a flag in her hand.. a flag white as snow”. She was rushing forward, ignoring commands to stop, before being shot.. but she was trying to surrender. White flag - generally a universal sign for surrender/ peace. Very heavy indeed mate.
*Song meaning * The song starts out with an army recruiter asking the protagonist, a potential recruit, to enlist. With promises of adventure and money, he does indeed sign up. At the end of the song, the protagonist, now a veteran, recalls with bitter irony the army recruiter's promise that signing up would mean he could "see the world". The protagonist sees how destructive wars are, including the destruction of his own moral scruples, as the protagonist is convinced, after initially protesting, to join in and participate in the torture of a prisoner. The soldier repeatedly declares his loyalty and trust in his country's flag, but after killing a woman who he later learns was carrying a white flag, he changes his mind about his former flag-waving patriotism, instead putting his trust now in the white flag. Near the end, the veteran reacts with revulsion to those who see him as "A hero of war, is that what they see? Just medals and scars, so damn proud of me." Tim says he was expressing sarcasm because many people treat soldiers like heroes, even though many don't feel like heroes. Tim McIlrath wrote this song due to the violence in the war, but also for the troops that serve overseas protecting their respective countries.
John Thorpe I’m not a soldier nor a marine I never went into the service because I didn’t want to be a veteran I know pain I know anger rage veterans go through so much shit that they are surprised that they have not killed themselves I have a flag of the marine corps hanging next my bed because it’s my fav branch I’m a different soldier everyday I struggle with major depression anxiety Tourette’s etc all my respect goes to the vets out there who served even though they were lied too about seeing the world.......welcome home stay home and never leave for war again ......hooah
the video implies that he shot a little girl carrying a flag to surrender to the american forces. So he committed a war crime in the name of the US and the song is about the horror of war; and the things it forces soldiers to do.
I’ll never forget the day I was on post in Yemen and saw a kid with a gun pointing it at every post we had. I looked down the RCO on my 249 SAW and saw it that it had that little orange tip on the end. I’m glad I didn’t do something that would define the rest of my life that day.
Have this song along with so many others in my veteran's play list. I wanted to echo your sentiment about being forgotten. I had a conversation with my oldest son about that just yesterday. Veterans are dusted off and paraded around the country on Veteran's day, possibly the 4th of July, and wrongly on Memorial Day. The rest of the year we fade into the background of society on so many levels.
song is basically dedicated to those who came back damaged , those who nolonger fit into society , the forgotten ! it`s a reminder ,because we seem to forget that war is hell !
Tim wrote this from several letter's from soldier's, I'm not sure if that help's. I didn't know you served, I know it doesn't count from Australia, but still thankyou x
Honestly this song always gets me emotional no matter how many times I watch/listen to it, also mind you Rise Against is my mom's favorite band so I hear it a lot. My grandfather was in the Canadian Air force.
Mine was a marine in WW2. He was never the same. We watched flags of our fathers and he said thats the closest thing he has seen that showed what actually happened and what he went through on Guadalcanal. He was 17 when they sent him to that hell. We may not have liked eachother but he knew that he was my hero.
I have seen them live 3 times. They are incredible. ♡ The last time I saw them was at Self Help Fest in Detroit. Half way through it started pouring down rain and was such a party!
This song touches home on many levels as a fellow veteran. The things we see we cant unsee; the thing we did we can't undo, people until they experience it themselves in what ever form cant understand what its like to be afraid of closing your eyes at night or terrified of independenceday with the fireworks. The price we pay not just our lives but our minds, our family and loved ones we cant try to put on a brave face and be the big soldier man when inside we lost unable to forgive ourselves for what we had to do for people and politicians who prefer to worry about people who've payed no debt to our nation people who aren't Americans and politicians who themselves hate America. Its infuriating to see so many of my brothers in arms dying because no one will listen or they wont ask for help. My grandfather a WW2 veteran broke through to me over a bottle of whiskey at vfw a place i now frequent to help vetrans coming back to help them try to cope.
This song made me realise a few things. One was that I wanted to enlist in the military to serve my country and defend my homeland and I hoped maybe id come home a hero but I later realised that in war, being a hero isnt so black and white. While you may come home a hero to everyone else you know that maybe you had to do something that you knew was bad but had to be done or it was morally conflicting. I realised that war isnt a black and white concept. Its a brutal thing that is started by public and political officials and ended by the common folk men and women. I work with a guy who served on a base in Afgahnistan that had gotten attacked and he said we almost felt bad for the people attacking us cause they were all just farmers and laborers hopped up on drugs and adrenaline who could hardly aim a rifle. He told us some of the stuff he saw there and thats when I realised that people we think are heros have seen and experienced some messed up and awful shit. My heart goes out to any veterans whove seen that kind of stuff
You're totally right. With war in rare cases we may force them to use our political system which of course I think is great but this is never voluntary by the folks there and a violent solution. Afghanistan and Iraq war are useless killing of men on both sides. We should help the poor in those places peacefully rather than killing them.
The thing is, once they're there and see shit, they just want to come back home alive and with all their body parts intact. In order to do that, sometimes they "just gotta do what you gotta do". It's as human as it gets. War isn't about heroes, it's about sacrifices. Everyone partaking in it has to sacrifice something.
@@benitocamela6336 To me it is more about the institutionalized hero-complex justifying a system that keeps putting people in that position where they "gotta do what they gotta do" to come home safe - if not for yourself then to protect your buddies who rely on you. Be that by shooting a little girl that might carry a bomb ignoring your orders to stop or just taking part in seemingly smaller war crimes like sadism and torture against POWs. And the implied loyalty to your buddies to not rat them out for their crimes - some of which you have contributed to because "you gotta do what you gotta do".
I'm a sub of yours and I didn't know you covered this song until a year later, you gotta tell me. How am I finding this shit now? Haha, great reaction bro. Such a good song. I know it hit you differently as a vet obviously but he still makes a good point without shitting all over the service
For the record, Rise Against isn’t anti-soldier, they are anti-pointless war and forcing innocent people on both sides into situations where they both need to kill or be killed. He never served but plenty of soldiers wrote to them before they write this song and after sharing their experiences. My friend was in the gulf in the Australian Navy, against Iraq, a war that never should have been fought in the first place, he still suffers with it today and he wasn’t even on land. And when he came back they said thanks very much, fuck off. When he told me what veterans do and don’t get I was appalled. I am very much anti-war but if you’re going to go to the lengths of sending these poor sons of bitches into the situations you can at least take care of them when they come home. Plus, there is a very sinister role that recruiters play. And everybody knows it.
You should list to five finger death punch wrong side of heaven.Thanks for your service man. I was in Afghanistan with the Marines and songs like these get me
Im not positive but I belive the song is about the duality of being a soldier. Even when doing the right thing you have 2 do some terrible or by mistake and the weight it puts on people when they get home. Which is the chorus.
Yo Billy, my father and his father served, Vietnam and WW2 respectively. Dad served in the JAG and thankfully never saw combat, my grandad served in the Pacific on the Essex and came home safe. Missed my window to serve myself due to my own situations. Thank you for serving my man.
hey i'm from germany, i'd like to see you're reacting on the lyrics+video on this specific song. just..what are your thoughts or did you happen to see some of this behavior? really i'm curious. glad you're doing this and keep your work up, greetings ;)
It was filmed in the Iqua war not filmed in real war like pictures from it and the guy singing yes in real life Edit: BTW the pictures are moving pictures
Lmfao when you talk about the barbers in boot camp. I with you my dude. They dont give a fuck. Thanks for your service as well. Veteran. Former Active duty air force. Moody AFB. Crew chief.
Thank you Billy for your service.My husband was active duty and reserve in the Army. I have uncles, grandparents and friends who have served. Service members are often overlooked, especially when times get tough. Thank you for your honesty and I hope that you continue to show us who you are. Hope life treats you well ❤
I love this band, even though I don't agree with the pretty extreme leftist politics. Hero of War is a song that brings me the tears though...."a Flag that I love" gets me every time. Also, I watched an Oscar winning movie because of this band called "The Cove." I admire the band's causes.
"You gotta do what you gotta do"...that sounds terrifying, specially when Tim is singing about torturing a man. I'm sorry, but you don't "gotta do what you gotta do".
Reminds me of a one of dialogue in the move KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Remember that howsoever you are played or by whom, your soul is in your keeping alone, even though those who presume to play you be kings or men of power. When you stand before God, you cannot say, "But I was told by others to do thus," or that virtue was not convenient at the time. This will not suffice. Remember that.
I have a few questions maybe you guys could answer for me about following someone on TH-cam because I am new to this. Does it help if we comment? Do we need to push the thumbs-up or thumbs-down button or do we just watch?
I believe that when possible the best thing we can do for veterans is to not make more of them. i'm a little bit harsh on people who joined the military post 2006ish. we have been such a net negative around force around the world and destabilized and bombed so much. I don't know how someone would volunteer to be a part of that when the national guard or peace corp are great and under-looked options to serve as well.
I dont know much about the peace corp, but I can tell you I served alongside many National Guardsman from all over the country on my deployments to the middle east. Reserve troops as well.
You miss the point. From national flag to white flag. An anti war song. War is not glory and heros just losers on both side. Innocents killed, warcrimes broken wannabe heros. All in the game of power and ressources. Peace
To me the person who says "...son have you seen the world? Well, what would you say if I said that you could?..." wasn't his father, but a recruiter enticing people to join the military.
I’m a military spouse and there’s a few songs that always hit home for me. Travelin soldier, hero of war, and letters from home and you reacted to all of them. Don’t know how I came across your channel but love your videos! Thank you for your service and god bless
I've got mixed feelings about this song. On the one hand, it's a very well written song that discusses an unfortunate reality of war. On the other hand, it sort of portrays the military (regardless of branch or nationality) as the enemy.
Kenshin Himura not really. Its more about anti war and how the soldiers get tricked into believing its for freedom or whatever excuse. But they find out the hell that is war
Not at all. It just portrays certain things that happen regularly ,stuff no one wants to talk about. The military ain't all grand certain ppl are snakes
Only an American could think that. The military is not perfect and it's actually pretty fucking important that war crimes are not just ignored. And a military is the enemy... to certain people. American military is an enemy to me as a non-American, and and the military of my country is the enemy to someone else.
Even though Rise Against/ Tim McIlrath is anti-war, it's not a bash against the military, but more of a bash against the people who think of them only as "Heroes" instead of what they went through. Song meaning The song starts out with an army recruiter asking the protagonist, a potential recruit, to enlist. With promises of adventure and money, he does indeed sign up. At the end of the song, the protagonist, now a veteran, recalls with bitter irony the army recruiter's promise that signing up would mean he could "see the world". The protagonist sees how destructive wars are, including the destruction of his own moral scruples, as the protagonist is convinced, after initially protesting, to join in and participate in the torture of a prisoner. The soldier repeatedly declares his loyalty and trust in his country's flag, but after killing a woman who he later learns was carrying a white flag, he changes his mind about his former flag-waving patriotism, instead putting his trust now in the white flag. Near the end, the veteran reacts with revulsion to those who see him as "A hero of war, is that what they see? Just medals and scars, so damn proud of me." Tim says he was expressing sarcasm because many people treat soldiers like heroes, even though many don't feel like heroes. Tim McIlrath wrote this song due to the violence in the war, but also for the troops that serve overseas protecting their respective countries.
@@seankauder9721 The military. Maybe it's just my interpretation. To me it's about a guy that joins the military thinking he's going to be a hero and ends up doing awful shit 'because he's supposed to', with the implication that that's the representation of everybody in the military, and therefor they should not be regarded for their service. ei, "Everybody in the military does awful shit so fuck them."
@@matthewrud1911 Hey Matt, that is a valid point of criticism for sure. It's definitely meant to make the casual listener feel uncomfortable. From what I have read, I don't believe their intention is to be disrespectful to those fallen or currently in service. I think they picked a rather uncomfortable yet real scenario that may play out and told a story. Their hardcore activism is displayed deeply throughout many songs so it's meant to raise attention and make one think. But it takes a risk at alienating the masses; the very audience it intends to seek attention from with this story. I am a balanced individual so I try to see through it all, but yah the passages expressed here are not reflective of every outcome in Military operations. It's sort of the bigger picture, or the mentality that "War is all good and fun" in which they oppose I guess... Oh well, it has a great melody though!
It’s an anti war song I’ve been in the marine corps for 8 years and it is about how no one wins cause some people who do things that they can’t forget cause they are told to do it and fucks people up in the head
@@matthewrud1911 They based the song off letters they received from veterans of the US military. Sure, not all servicemen and women will have the same point of view, but the whole point of the song is to present a common perspective that apparently many soldiers share. Just because you may disagree with that point of view doesn't make it offensive.
I am a veteran of the US Navy. A few years ago my son took me to a Rise Against concert. I had heard the songs from the band that my son played around the house, but then this song came up in the set. This singer came out with an acoustic and played this song. I hate to be the guy to admit that this 50 year old veteran broke down to the point I almost went to my knees over this song. Ever since, it moves me everytime I hear it.
Never too old to share emotion brother. Sometimes its all that keeps us sane. Do not be ashamed.
No shame in crying no matter how old you are or your gender. Rise Against are also masters of gut punching you with emotions so doubly no shame
Most important thing in this song is that 2 first verses the flag that he trusts is US flag, but after verse 3 he talks about the white flag (peace) that he brought home and its the only flag he trusts and loves.
DuBstep115
Well explained in fact that’s the punchline of this song
Wow ive listened to this song tons of times and always felt awkward that he still loves the US flag.. this makes so much more sense
executioner's willing citizens. stop volunteering. start a change.
I think he brought home the American flag. He's saying that it's gathering dust (not flying it anymore) but he still trusts it.
@@Ramon22282 Nah the last verse says she dropped a flag white as snow, and then he says he brought home THAT flag.
Opinion here. I don't think it was his dad saying "son, have you seen the world" I think it was the army recruiter.
yes it absolutely was
Could have been a military dad........
Yes it was, they go in dpeth on this in an interview
Spot on, the whole songwriting choice was to underline the cyclical nature of Armed Forces recruitment here. Move on to the next kid, [T h a n k y o u f o r y o u r s e r v i c e].
6:50
You missed it my guy…
“She collapsed, with a flag in her hand.. a flag white as snow”.
She was rushing forward, ignoring commands to stop, before being shot.. but she was trying to surrender.
White flag - generally a universal sign for surrender/ peace.
Very heavy indeed mate.
*Song meaning
*
The song starts out with an army recruiter asking the protagonist, a potential recruit, to enlist. With promises of adventure and money, he does indeed sign up. At the end of the song, the protagonist, now a veteran, recalls with bitter irony the army recruiter's promise that signing up would mean he could "see the world".
The protagonist sees how destructive wars are, including the destruction of his own moral scruples, as the protagonist is convinced, after initially protesting, to join in and participate in the torture of a prisoner. The soldier repeatedly declares his loyalty and trust in his country's flag, but after killing a woman who he later learns was carrying a white flag, he changes his mind about his former flag-waving patriotism, instead putting his trust now in the white flag. Near the end, the veteran reacts with revulsion to those who see him as "A hero of war, is that what they see? Just medals and scars, so damn proud of me." Tim says he was expressing sarcasm because many people treat soldiers like heroes, even though many don't feel like heroes.
Tim McIlrath wrote this song due to the violence in the war, but also for the troops that serve overseas protecting their respective countries.
John Thorpe I’m not a soldier nor a marine I never went into the service because I didn’t want to be a veteran I know pain I know anger rage veterans go through so much shit that they are surprised that they have not killed themselves I have a flag of the marine corps hanging next my bed because it’s my fav branch I’m a different soldier everyday I struggle with major depression anxiety Tourette’s etc all my respect goes to the vets out there who served even though they were lied too about seeing the world.......welcome home stay home and never leave for war again ......hooah
the video implies that he shot a little girl carrying a flag to surrender to the american forces.
So he committed a war crime in the name of the US and the song is about the horror of war; and the things it forces soldiers to do.
I’ll never forget the day I was on post in Yemen and saw a kid with a gun pointing it at every post we had. I looked down the RCO on my 249 SAW and saw it that it had that little orange tip on the end. I’m glad I didn’t do something that would define the rest of my life that day.
Dude, that sounds f***ing terrifying...
Yeah man you can never come back from something like that
I'm only 14, but thank you so god damn much for your service.
Good lookin out.
Why would you talk about this with strangers
Have this song along with so many others in my veteran's play list. I wanted to echo your sentiment about being forgotten. I had a conversation with my oldest son about that just yesterday. Veterans are dusted off and paraded around the country on Veteran's day, possibly the 4th of July, and wrongly on Memorial Day. The rest of the year we fade into the background of society on so many levels.
" wrongly on memorial day" A lot of my family were in the service and this makes them SO MAD. At least know and understand what youre praising people
song is basically dedicated to those who came back damaged , those who nolonger fit into society , the forgotten ! it`s a reminder ,because we seem to forget that war is hell !
Very powerful!!! Could tell it hit you hard. No banter during the video. Mad respect sir!
The imagery in the lyrics takes me to places I’ve never been…
That’s a truly amazing talent to be able to do that to someone.
🙌🏼🇦🇺
You should check out "Help Is On The Way" and "Make It Stop (September's Children)" by Rise Against as well. Both very good songs.
the bullets they spent are worth more than the house they can afford when they get home. What a world.
Tim wrote this from several letter's from soldier's, I'm not sure if that help's. I didn't know you served, I know it doesn't count from Australia, but still thankyou x
Still counts.
It still counts, love from America
It always counts
Honestly this song always gets me emotional no matter how many times I watch/listen to it, also mind you Rise Against is my mom's favorite band so I hear it a lot. My grandfather was in the Canadian Air force.
I just wanted to say that your mom is awesome.
Mine was a marine in WW2. He was never the same. We watched flags of our fathers and he said thats the closest thing he has seen that showed what actually happened and what he went through on Guadalcanal. He was 17 when they sent him to that hell. We may not have liked eachother but he knew that he was my hero.
I have seen them live 3 times. They are incredible. ♡
The last time I saw them was at Self Help Fest in Detroit. Half way through it started pouring down rain and was such a party!
This song touches home on many levels as a fellow veteran. The things we see we cant unsee; the thing we did we can't undo, people until they experience it themselves in what ever form cant understand what its like to be afraid of closing your eyes at night or terrified of independenceday with the fireworks. The price we pay not just our lives but our minds, our family and loved ones we cant try to put on a brave face and be the big soldier man when inside we lost unable to forgive ourselves for what we had to do for people and politicians who prefer to worry about people who've payed no debt to our nation people who aren't Americans and politicians who themselves hate America. Its infuriating to see so many of my brothers in arms dying because no one will listen or they wont ask for help. My grandfather a WW2 veteran broke through to me over a bottle of whiskey at vfw a place i now frequent to help vetrans coming back to help them try to cope.
Thank you for your service.
My dad and uncle where in the Air Force
My great grandfather was a Brigadier General before he retired
Thank all of you for your sacrifice.
This song made me realise a few things. One was that I wanted to enlist in the military to serve my country and defend my homeland and I hoped maybe id come home a hero but I later realised that in war, being a hero isnt so black and white. While you may come home a hero to everyone else you know that maybe you had to do something that you knew was bad but had to be done or it was morally conflicting. I realised that war isnt a black and white concept. Its a brutal thing that is started by public and political officials and ended by the common folk men and women. I work with a guy who served on a base in Afgahnistan that had gotten attacked and he said we almost felt bad for the people attacking us cause they were all just farmers and laborers hopped up on drugs and adrenaline who could hardly aim a rifle. He told us some of the stuff he saw there and thats when I realised that people we think are heros have seen and experienced some messed up and awful shit. My heart goes out to any veterans whove seen that kind of stuff
You're totally right. With war in rare cases we may force them to use our political system which of course I think is great but this is never voluntary by the folks there and a violent solution. Afghanistan and Iraq war are useless killing of men on both sides. We should help the poor in those places peacefully rather than killing them.
I've asked Tim, the singer face to face. He told me it was inspired by his friend.
Song chokes me up sometimes damn they killed it
Thank you for your service.
"Gotta do what you gotta do" .Seems eerily close to "just following orders".
The thing is, once they're there and see shit, they just want to come back home alive and with all their body parts intact. In order to do that, sometimes they "just gotta do what you gotta do". It's as human as it gets. War isn't about heroes, it's about sacrifices. Everyone partaking in it has to sacrifice something.
@@benitocamela6336 To me it is more about the institutionalized hero-complex justifying a system that keeps putting people in that position where they "gotta do what they gotta do" to come home safe - if not for yourself then to protect your buddies who rely on you.
Be that by shooting a little girl that might carry a bomb ignoring your orders to stop or just taking part in seemingly smaller war crimes like sadism and torture against POWs. And the implied loyalty to your buddies to not rat them out for their crimes - some of which you have contributed to because "you gotta do what you gotta do".
To my brothers in arms, I never saw combat, but I saw what it does to a man. Thank you for your service.
That song always hits me hard im married to the military and from a military family
I'm a sub of yours and I didn't know you covered this song until a year later, you gotta tell me. How am I finding this shit now? Haha, great reaction bro. Such a good song. I know it hit you differently as a vet obviously but he still makes a good point without shitting all over the service
For the record, Rise Against isn’t anti-soldier, they are anti-pointless war and forcing innocent people on both sides into situations where they both need to kill or be killed. He never served but plenty of soldiers wrote to them before they write this song and after sharing their experiences. My friend was in the gulf in the Australian Navy, against Iraq, a war that never should have been fought in the first place, he still suffers with it today and he wasn’t even on land. And when he came back they said thanks very much, fuck off. When he told me what veterans do and don’t get I was appalled. I am very much anti-war but if you’re going to go to the lengths of sending these poor sons of bitches into the situations you can at least take care of them when they come home. Plus, there is a very sinister role that recruiters play. And everybody knows it.
I love this song so much and I have hero of war memorized
You should list to five finger death punch wrong side of heaven.Thanks for your service man. I was in Afghanistan with the Marines and songs like these get me
Do you feel like a hero yet? - Spec Ops
My dad is an Air Force veteran I’m glad he didn’t experience this
Im not positive but I belive the song is about the duality of being a soldier. Even when doing the right thing you have 2 do some terrible or by mistake and the weight it puts on people when they get home. Which is the chorus.
Bills mafia baby! I see that hat! Love the video, thank you for your service brother.
As an early Iraq war and Afghanistan war vet this song hits me hard! HARD! I was 1ID 1-16INF 2003-2006 10th Mountain 1BCT 1-32INF 2006-2010!
Yo Billy, my father and his father served, Vietnam and WW2 respectively. Dad served in the JAG and thankfully never saw combat, my grandad served in the Pacific on the Essex and came home safe. Missed my window to serve myself due to my own situations. Thank you for serving my man.
Thank you for your service brother 🤙🏼 currently serving
hey i'm from germany, i'd like to see you're reacting on the lyrics+video on this specific song. just..what are your thoughts or did you happen to see some of this behavior? really i'm curious. glad you're doing this and keep your work up, greetings ;)
Bro, you delete comments really fast. xD props to you and your mods.
It was filmed in the Iqua war not filmed in real war like pictures from it and the guy singing yes in real life
Edit: BTW the pictures are moving pictures
Such a good song! Glad you got to react to this one
You do gotta do what you gotta do.
A few of my cousins served none of them came back the same as when they left
That’s when it’s real…. Another thought provoking song is they call me doc by walkermguire
Much love I try to speak wat I'm experiencing glad u liked it
Lmfao when you talk about the barbers in boot camp. I with you my dude. They dont give a fuck. Thanks for your service as well. Veteran. Former Active duty air force. Moody AFB. Crew chief.
Go Bills!
You should react to Five Finger Death Punch, Wrong side of Heaven or Metallic the Day that never comes
Brad Paisley whisky lullaby
NUNCA morís por vuestra gente, no por vuestros países, ni vuestras banderas... Morís por el dinero de otros.
Viva la paz.
that`s not his dad telling him that , it`s the recruiter !
Loved the video just found this Channel u should check out a song by them called blood red, white and blue
Thank you Billy for your service.My husband was active duty and reserve in the Army. I have uncles, grandparents and friends who have served. Service members are often overlooked, especially when times get tough. Thank you for your honesty and I hope that you continue to show us who you are. Hope life treats you well ❤
I love this band, even though I don't agree with the pretty extreme leftist politics. Hero of War is a song that brings me the tears though...."a Flag that I love" gets me every time. Also, I watched an Oscar winning movie because of this band called "The Cove." I admire the band's causes.
Id love to see you react to "Myrath-Believer". They are an unknown band but Ive never heard anything like em.
Great song! Go Bills!
You should do Be All You Cant Be by Broadway Calls... Let me know what you think about that take
Or also This Is War by Smile Empty Soul
0:32 whats billy 'theme' song named?
"You gotta do what you gotta do"...that sounds terrifying, specially when Tim is singing about torturing a man. I'm sorry, but you don't "gotta do what you gotta do".
IIRC you can go to military jail for disobeying orders
Reminds me of a one of dialogue in the move KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Remember that howsoever you are played or by whom, your soul is in your keeping alone, even though those who presume to play you be kings or men of power. When you stand before God, you cannot say, "But I was told by others to do thus," or that virtue was not convenient at the time. This will not suffice. Remember that.
I know this 3 years old but you should checkout Final Transmission by Street Dogs
The entire band was in the service.
You should check out mistakes like fractures by knocked loose
Good reaction man, thanks for the service good sir!
Veterans disgrace us. It is self-service, as well.
Do more rise against plz
I have a few questions maybe you guys could answer for me about following someone on TH-cam because I am new to this. Does it help if we comment? Do we need to push the thumbs-up or thumbs-down button or do we just watch?
Thank you for your service, Billy. God bless you!
It's insane how many people only cite new rise against. Study up kids
I believe that when possible the best thing we can do for veterans is to not make more of them. i'm a little bit harsh on people who joined the military post 2006ish. we have been such a net negative around force around the world and destabilized and bombed so much. I don't know how someone would volunteer to be a part of that when the national guard or peace corp are great and under-looked options to serve as well.
I dont know much about the peace corp, but I can tell you I served alongside many National Guardsman from all over the country on my deployments to the middle east. Reserve troops as well.
You miss the point.
From national flag to white flag. An anti war song. War is not glory and heros just losers on both side. Innocents killed, warcrimes broken wannabe heros. All in the game of power and ressources.
Peace
@Vanargand it seems it is you who massively misunderstands the premise of the song, it is most definitely an anti war song.
See i always thought that the son you even get paid person was a recruiter not his father talking
Tim McGrath can write some great lyrics
Hey Billy, do you want to react to the winner of Eurovision Contest 2019? Its Duncan Laurence and he is INCREDIBLE!
To me the person who says "...son have you seen the world? Well, what would you say if I said that you could?..." wasn't his father, but a recruiter enticing people to join the military.
Lol duh
I’m a military spouse and there’s a few songs that always hit home for me. Travelin soldier, hero of war, and letters from home and you reacted to all of them. Don’t know how I came across your channel but love your videos! Thank you for your service and god bless
Listen to rise against new song the numbers !!
Nice hat I’m from the 716
React to volbeat - Cape of our hero
React to the white buffalo- the Whistler live in guitar center
Thinks for your survis
Is this dude in the 70 👀 only replying now just because I seen Ur react it's great but this happens still daily tbh
Bro please react to G-IDLE MINNIE GRAVITY COVER , her voice is so beautiful !! Please bro
Folded flag by Aaron Lewis
Did no one notice the upside down flag
I did and I was looking for comments on it...
I've got mixed feelings about this song. On the one hand, it's a very well written song that discusses an unfortunate reality of war. On the other hand, it sort of portrays the military (regardless of branch or nationality) as the enemy.
Kenshin Himura not really. Its more about anti war and how the soldiers get tricked into believing its for freedom or whatever excuse. But they find out the hell that is war
Not at all. It just portrays certain things that happen regularly ,stuff no one wants to talk about. The military ain't all grand certain ppl are snakes
Only an American could think that. The military is not perfect and it's actually pretty fucking important that war crimes are not just ignored. And a military is the enemy... to certain people. American military is an enemy to me as a non-American, and and the military of my country is the enemy to someone else.
Even though Rise Against/ Tim McIlrath is anti-war, it's not a bash against the military, but more of a bash against the people who think of them only as "Heroes" instead of what they went through.
Song meaning
The song starts out with an army recruiter asking the protagonist, a potential recruit, to enlist. With promises of adventure and money, he does indeed sign up. At the end of the song, the protagonist, now a veteran, recalls with bitter irony the army recruiter's promise that signing up would mean he could "see the world".
The protagonist sees how destructive wars are, including the destruction of his own moral scruples, as the protagonist is convinced, after initially protesting, to join in and participate in the torture of a prisoner. The soldier repeatedly declares his loyalty and trust in his country's flag, but after killing a woman who he later learns was carrying a white flag, he changes his mind about his former flag-waving patriotism, instead putting his trust now in the white flag. Near the end, the veteran reacts with revulsion to those who see him as "A hero of war, is that what they see? Just medals and scars, so damn proud of me." Tim says he was expressing sarcasm because many people treat soldiers like heroes, even though many don't feel like heroes.
Tim McIlrath wrote this song due to the violence in the war, but also for the troops that serve overseas protecting their respective countries.
Well that's life isn't it? Not black and white....
Please react to superchick hero
Reack Alice Cooper
I think as a vet that you would enjoy this song/video by Metallica called Confusion th-cam.com/video/ZChXK2rdr9M/w-d-xo.html
Please react to “Mr Big” “To Be With You” very nice harmonizing song you would like 😉
Am I the only one who finds this song wildly insulting?
Insulting to whom?
@@seankauder9721 The military. Maybe it's just my interpretation. To me it's about a guy that joins the military thinking he's going to be a hero and ends up doing awful shit 'because he's supposed to', with the implication that that's the representation of everybody in the military, and therefor they should not be regarded for their service. ei, "Everybody in the military does awful shit so fuck them."
@@matthewrud1911 Hey Matt, that is a valid point of criticism for sure. It's definitely meant to make the casual listener feel uncomfortable. From what I have read, I don't believe their intention is to be disrespectful to those fallen or currently in service. I think they picked a rather uncomfortable yet real scenario that may play out and told a story. Their hardcore activism is displayed deeply throughout many songs so it's meant to raise attention and make one think. But it takes a risk at alienating the masses; the very audience it intends to seek attention from with this story. I am a balanced individual so I try to see through it all, but yah the passages expressed here are not reflective of every outcome in Military operations. It's sort of the bigger picture, or the mentality that "War is all good and fun" in which they oppose I guess... Oh well, it has a great melody though!
It’s an anti war song I’ve been in the marine corps for 8 years and it is about how no one wins cause some people who do things that they can’t forget cause they are told to do it and fucks people up in the head
@@matthewrud1911 They based the song off letters they received from veterans of the US military. Sure, not all servicemen and women will have the same point of view, but the whole point of the song is to present a common perspective that apparently many soldiers share. Just because you may disagree with that point of view doesn't make it offensive.