Maybe true bravery is asking if a war is really needed. This is a song about the human cost of war, reflecting on conflicts like the Falklands War and the Troubles. #英検pre-2級 #protestsong #protestmusic #toeic #learnenglish
The record cover shows that today’s song is in their (The Levellers’) second album “Levelling the Land”. What does the “level” in “Levelling the Land” means?
I understand it was
A quick search on the Internet tells me that the album was released in 1991. So it is about 35 year old song. I’m afraid that many people are still deploring and singing this song with proper names replaced. Sad, too sad.
I'm not too familiar with the Levellers' music, but from what I can tell, they took their name from a social justice political movement in the 1600s' English Civil War. The Levellers rock group was also concerned about inequality and injustice.
The term "to level" something means to tear it to the ground, for example, to level a building. It can also mean to make things more equal as in "to level the playing field". Yet another meaning is to be honest with someone, to level with them.
The boy I wrote about in my last post fought in the Falklands war Louise. He was a marine on HMS Canberra, I still remember that ship sailing out and retuening. They were a life changing two months for such a young man, that war alone changed him.
Another great piece! When I think of war protest songs, I think of the 60s and 70s in America, so learned a lot from your telling of later UK songs protesting other wars. Thanks!
Glad you found it useful, Lori. Alas, there are so many such sad songs around the same theme, no matter what language or culture. When will we ever learn.
War, mothers, sons
The age-old state of affairs.
Sad but true
Loved ones...
Good morning Louise,
The record cover shows that today’s song is in their (The Levellers’) second album “Levelling the Land”. What does the “level” in “Levelling the Land” means?
I understand it was
A quick search on the Internet tells me that the album was released in 1991. So it is about 35 year old song. I’m afraid that many people are still deploring and singing this song with proper names replaced. Sad, too sad.
Mitsuru Hiki
Hi Mitsuru,
I'm not too familiar with the Levellers' music, but from what I can tell, they took their name from a social justice political movement in the 1600s' English Civil War. The Levellers rock group was also concerned about inequality and injustice.
The term "to level" something means to tear it to the ground, for example, to level a building. It can also mean to make things more equal as in "to level the playing field". Yet another meaning is to be honest with someone, to level with them.
I hope this helps!
The boy I wrote about in my last post fought in the Falklands war Louise. He was a marine on HMS Canberra, I still remember that ship sailing out and retuening. They were a life changing two months for such a young man, that war alone changed him.
Oh, I imagine it did. Or rather, I can’t imagine…
Another great piece! When I think of war protest songs, I think of the 60s and 70s in America, so learned a lot from your telling of later UK songs protesting other wars. Thanks!
Glad you found it useful, Lori. Alas, there are so many such sad songs around the same theme, no matter what language or culture. When will we ever learn.