allison November 28th, 2006 05:09AM  
I think when james sings about 'he has been here' I interpret it as war has been here its sounds like the use of a metaphor

anonymous December 23rd, 2006 07:54PM  
This song uses "he has been here" as a metaphor for war. Many times people try to portray war as a heroic endevour. But what I interpret from this song is that war isn't about bravery, it's about the sadness and destruction that it leaves in its wake. "A generation drenched in hate." "Tracer lighting up the sky/It's another family's turn to die." He shows war for what it really is and the innocent people who it really hurts, which is why he keeps emphasizing the children.

anonymous November 20th, 2007 09:17AM  
I think that he is telling it how it is, There is no bravery, Only fear, destruction and wasted lives, and for what reasons? Any hoo that's my take!

anony February 1st, 2008 08:03PM  
No no no. james blunt was in the british army and saw horrific things.
In 1999, he served as an armoured reconnaissance officer in the NATO peacekeeping force in Kosovo. Initially assigned to reconnaissance of the Macedonia-Kosovo border, Blunt and his unit worked ahead of the front lines directing forces and targeting Serb positions for the NATO bombing campaign. He led the first squadron of troops to enter Priština, and was the first British officer to enter the Kosovan capital. His unit was given the assignment of securing the Priština airport in advance of the 30,000-strong peacekeeping force; the Russian army had moved in and taken control of the airport before his unit's arrival. As the first officer on the scene, Blunt shared a part in the difficult task of addressing the potentially violent international incident.[5] There were less intense moments during Blunt's Kosovo assignment, however. Blunt had brought along his guitar, strapped to the outside of his tank and, at some places, the peacekeepers would share a meal with hospitable locals, and Blunt would perform. It was while on duty there that he wrote the song "No Bravery".[6]

anonymous May 7th, 2009 10:19PM  
"He (DEATH) has been here."