5090 by FAWM: "Over the Top"

Over the Top

2 weeks ago by @berni1954

Skirmish: Over the top (@lyricslinger)

Over the Top

berni1954

00:00

Liner Notes

As a history buff, I went for the obvious on this one:
WWI the most senseless war in history. No real winners, whole generations of men slaughtered for nothing. It wasn't even as if either side were fighting for an ideology, as would be the case in WWII it was simply a clash of Empires and the middle and working class men who fought it would gain nothing from it, whoever won.

INSTRUMENTS:
Harley Benton "Rickenbacker Electric 12 String Copy"
KORG R3 Synthesizer
Backing by Band in a Box

#biab #bandinabox

Lyrics

(G) They waited in the (Eb) trenches, hearts (F) beating with (G) fear
This was the promised (Eb) push; the (F) moment was (G) here
The (Bb) roar of canons (F) pounding the (Bb) enemy (F) trench
(Eb) Deafened the men (F) waiting, a(G)mid the muddy stench

(C) Over the (Bb) top!
That (C) cry would soon (Bb) come
(C) Over the (Bb) top!
This (F) war must be won!
(Gm) Over the (Dm) top!
They (Gm) waited there in (Dm) dread
(Eb) Knowing very (F) soon (G) many would be dead

Fleas and rats, up to that point, had been the only enemy
They'd had in their dugouts, fortunately
But now these young recruits faced the real thing
They had to kill or die for their country and King

CHORUS

BRIDGE
(Dm) What a senseless war for some (Eb) Empire's pride"
(Dm) What was it all for? (Eb) Why had millions died?
It (F) wasn't even a clash of (Gm) ideologies
(Eb) That's what filled these (F) lads' hearts with un(G) ease

Gas masks at the ready, up the ladders they climbed
Crossing themselves as distant church bells chimed
The order came and it must be obeyed
War wasn't the dreamy ideal school had portrayed.

Over the top!
That cry soon came
Over the top!
Play up and play the game!
Over the top!
Machine guns drew first blood
And half of the battalion, lay face down in the mud.

Comments

@musicsongwriter 2w

Just listened to your fun song. This is not fun, It is sad and dramatic. Fascinating to listen to. I can imagine your song in a musical about WWI

@berni1954 2w

@kahlo2013 @cindyrella @funnypunkband @hmstreetteam @lyricslinger @musicsongwriter @cookiecatshroom

Just a note to say I have put the full demo (with music) up for my song "Over the Top" about the First World War.

Hope you get a moment to check it out.

@kahlo2013 2w

Well this is much more compelling and powerful than what I came up with! You paint a vivid picture with the verses that makes me feel like I am there - and then that rush of adrenaline with the call to go over the top in the chorus. Great write!

@cindyrella 2w

Gosh, this is sad and powerful. So senseless and one thing I realized many years ago is that WWII wouldn't have ever happened if there'd never been a WWI. Great song!

@funnypunkband 2w

These lyrics are really powerful and capture the grim reality of trench warfare with vivid imagery. The way you describe the fear and senselessness of the situation is both poignant and impactful. I especially like how the chorus evolves, driving home the devastating consequences of war. Great job!

@hmstreetteam 2w

Vivid and visceral depiction of trench warfare, poetic and making a point without being too graphic about the consequences. Well stated.

@lyricslinger 2w

Very good lyrics. I particularly like the Bridge and the final version of the Chorus. When I wrote the words 'Over the top' it did bring to mind the WW1 trenches, and that Blackadder episode

@musicsongwriter 2w

Powerful lyrics. Sad and poignant.

@cookiecatshroom 2w

"Over the top! / They waited there in dread / Knowing very soon many would be dead" is INCREDIBLE lyricism! This entire song is filled with so many powerful lines, and I am blown away. So good!!