About the song
“You Say That the Battle Is Over” is a song written by David Mallet and originally recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn. It was released as the second single from his 1979 album “Dancing in the Dark”. However, the song is best known for its cover version by American singer-songwriter John Denver, which was released as the lead single from his 1980 album “Autograph”.
Denver’s version of the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States in 1980. It also reached number one in Canada and Australia. The song was a critical and commercial success, and it has become one of Denver’s most famous songs.
The song is a beautiful and moving ballad about the futility of war. The lyrics are written from the perspective of a soldier who is tired of fighting and wants to go home. The song is a plea for peace and understanding.
Denver’s version of the song is simple and understated, but it is also powerful and moving. His gentle vocals and acoustic guitar accompaniment perfectly capture the song’s message of hope and peace.
“You Say That the Battle Is Over” is a timeless song that is still relevant today. It is a reminder that war is never the answer, and that peace is always the best option. The song is a message of hope for a better future, and it is a reminder that we should never give up on our dreams of peace.
Here are some additional details about the song:
- The song was written by David Mallet, a Canadian poet and songwriter.
- It was originally recorded by Bruce Cockburn, a Canadian singer-songwriter.
- Denver’s version of the song was released in 1980.
- It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
- The song has been covered by many other artists, including Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and Harry Belafonte.
The song’s impact on popular culture:
“You Say That the Battle Is Over” has had a lasting impact on popular culture. It has been used in numerous films and television shows, including “The Deer Hunter”, “Apocalypse Now”, and “The Sopranos”. The song has also been used in political campaigns and peace rallies.
“You Say That the Battle Is Over” is a powerful and moving song that has a message of hope and peace. It is a reminder that war is never the answer, and that peace is always the best option. The song is a message of hope for a better future, and it is a reminder that we should never give up on our dreams of peace.
Video
Lyrics
“You Say That The Battle Is Over”
And you say that the battle is over, and you say that the war is all done.
Go tell it to those with the wind in their nose who run from the sound of the gun.
And write it on the sides of the great whaling-ships,
or on ice floes where conscience is tossed.
With the wild in their eyes, it is they who must die,
and it’s we who must measure the loss.And you say that the battle is over, and finally the world is at peace.
You mean no one is dying, and mothers don’t weep, or it’s not in the papers, at least.
There are those who would deal in the darkness of life,
there are those who would tear down the sun.
And most men are ruthless, but some will still weep
when the gifts we were given are gone.Now the blame cannot fall on the heads of a few, it’s become such a part of the race.
It’s eternally tragic when that which is magic be killed at the end of the glorious chase.
From young seals to great whales, from waters to wood,
they will fall just like weeds in the wind.
With fur coats and perfumes and trophies on walls, what a hell of a race to call men.And you say that the battle is over, and you say that the war is all done.
Go tell it to those with the wind in their nose who run from the sound of the gun.
And write it on the sides of the great whaling-ships,
or on ice floes where conscience is tossed.
With the wild in their eyes, it is they who must die,
and it’s we who must measure the loss.
With the wild in their eyes, it is they who must die,
and it’s we who must measure the loss.