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Black Sabbath - War Pigs


Black Sabbath - War Pigs - Meaning of the song


"War Pigs" was inspired by the Vietnam War. Sabbath bass player Geezer Butler, who was also their lyricist, explains:


"Britain was on the verge of being brought into it, there was protests in the street, all kinds of anti -Vietnam things going on. War is the real Satanism. Politicians are the real Satanists. That's what I was trying to say."


This song is about man's desire to kill and destroy. Black Sabbath got the idea from war stories they heard when they did a show at an American Air Force base during a tour of Europe. They wrote the song when they were in a grim deserted place in Zurich where they were playing for a small sum of money to an even smaller audience.


War Pigs - Lyrics


Generals gathered in their masses

Just like witches at black masses

Evil minds that plot destruction

Sorcerer of death's construction

In the fields the bodies burning

As the war machine keeps turning

Death and hatred to Mankind

Poisoning their brainwashed minds...

Oh Lord yeah!


Politicians hide themselves away

They only started the war

Why should they go out to fight?

They leave that role to the poor


Time will tell on their power minds

Making war just for fun

Treating people just like pawns in chess

Wait 'till their judgment day comes, yeah!


Now in darkness, world stops turning

Ashes where the bodies burning

No more war pigs have the power

Hand of God has struck the hour

Day of Judgment, God is calling

On their knees the war pigs crawling

Begging mercy for their sins

Satan, laughing, spreads his wings...

Oh Lord, yeah!


Black Sabbath - War Pigs - Live




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