Paul Simon - On The Side Of a Hill Meaning

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On The Side Of a Hill Lyrics

On the side of a hill, in a land called somewhere. A little boy lies asleep in the earth. While down in a valley a cruel war rages, and people forget what a child's life is worth.
On the Side Of a Hill, a little cloud weeps. And waters the grave...

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anonymous
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Mar 12th 2019 !⃝
This song is quite transparent: it's an anti-war song. It tells how, in war, no one is safe.
"On the side of a hill in a land called 'Somewhere'
A little boy lies asleep in the earth" A CHILD HAS DIED.
"While down in the valley a cruel war rages
And people forget what a child's life is worth" THE CHILD'S DEATH IS LARGELY UNNOTICED.
"On the side of a hill, a little cloud weeps
And waters the grave with its silent tears" THOSE WHO KNEW THE CHILD MOURN HIS PASSING.
"While a soldier cleans and polishes a gun
That ended a life at the age of seven years" THE CHILD WAS KILLED, AND HIS DEATH IS WHAT IS CALLED 'COLLATERAL DAMAGE'.
"And the war rages on in the land called 'Somewhere'
And generals order their men to kill
And to fight for a cause they've long ago forgotten
While the little cloud weeps on the side of a hill" THE FIGHTING CONTINUES, WHILE THOSE WHO KNEW THE CHILD TRY TO PICK UP THE PIECES, KNOWING THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A HOLE IN THEIR LIVES THAT CAN NEVER BE FILLED.

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