I stopped blogging about my thoughts about U2 songs not because I had grown bored but rather due to the fact that this song was next. Today I plow ahead and start with track 1 of the “War” album. Given this song’s reference to Easter Sunday I think it is time to get back on the horse.
How long, how long must we sing this song?
This song was about Bloody Sunday. I remember hearing this song for the first time, not quite catching the verses really except that the name “Jesus” was mentioned and then hearing the title of the song in the chorus. I think I mentioned in previous U2 posts that it seemed Christians were really hoping U2 would be their voice to the world. As with a lot of U2 songs, it is just not that easy.
As I have mentioned before, I have no way to relate to how U2 were feeling when they wrote this song. My country during my lifetime has been relatively stable and nothing like the Ireland of their youth.
The real battle just begun
To claim the victory Jesus won
On...Sunday, bloody Sunday
I still do not understand why this lyric is in this song. As a Christian youth I liked it. The name “Jesus” is so polarizing and really got everyone’s attention back then. And there is the point to be made that it was really Friday that was bloody, not Sunday, when it came to Jesus, the cross and Resurrection Sunday. I suppose we can give some poetic license here.
The song talks a bit about not joining in on the violence as well. Bono usually holds a white flag (or at least he did in their early concerts) as they play this song. I can relate to that as I am typically not one to return fire with fire (not due to my ability to turn the other cheek per se, it is just how I am put together).
Anyway, I do like this song and find myself screaming along passionately though I still do not know why.
Jon
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