U2 Discussion -- Part 3

Today we'll look at some of the more politically themed songs of U2.

"Sunday Bloody Sunday" is a song bemoaning war and violence. Specifically, it was written with the violence in Northern Ireland in view. Just to give you some context, consider the following from Walk On: The Spiritual Journey of U2 by Steve Stockman:

Bloody Sunday was the name give to two of the darkest dates in Ireland's bloody history. One is January 30, 1972 -- the day British troops shot and killed thirteen people during a civil rights march in nationalist Derry in Northern Ireland. The army has said it was a shot at first. The civil rights marchers and the families of the dead have always disputed this, saying the victims were innocent. It fanned the flames of the area's troubles. ...

Bloody Sunday was also the name of another tragic day in Dublin. On November 21, 1921, the British ... entered Croke Park, the headquarters for the Gaelic Athletic Association. The association often was accused of being affiliated with Republicans, and the British shot and killed twelve people.

On November 8, 1987, U2 was on their Rattle and Hum Tour and, before performing in Denver, Colorado that night, received news that another "Bloody Sunday" had occurred in their homeland. The IRA exploded a bomb at the War Memorial in Enniskillen. It killed 13 innocent people. In the middle of performing "Sunday Bloody Sunday," Bono let his emotions be seen and heard. He had a monologue midway through the song about how brave it was to kill children and old men who had just cleaned up their medals for the day. His feelings were summarized in that monologue when he proclaimed "F*** the revolution." That would be the last time they performed the song for almost ten years. The following video is that performance in Denver. (WARNING: Bono doesn't censor himself in the monologue like I did above.)


"Bullet The Blue Sky" is a song rebuking America's support for some military dictatorships in Central America. It has been reworked more recently to rebuke the international arms trade and the abuse of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. (WARNING: the video opens with another choice word.)

In the howlin' wind Comes a stingin' rain See it drivin' nails Into the souls on the tree of pain. From the firefly A red orange glow See the face of fear Runnin' scared in the valley below. Bullet the blue sky Bullet the blue sky Bullet the blue Bullet the blue. In the locust wind Comes a rattle and hum. Jacob wrestled the angel And the angel was overcome. You plant a demon seed You raise a flower of fire. We see them burnin' crosses See the flames, higher and higher. Woh, woh, bullet the blue sky Bullet the blue sky Bullet the blue Bullet the blue. Suit and tie comes up to me His face red like a rose on a thorn bush Like all the colours of a royal flush And he's peelin' off those dollar bills (Slappin' 'em down) One hundred, two hundred. And I can see those fighter planes And I can see those fighter planes Across the tin huts as children sleep Through the alleys of a quiet city street. Up the staircase to the first floor We turn the key and slowly unlock the door As a man breathes into his saxophone And through the walls you hear the city groan. Outside, is America Outside, is America America. See across the field See the sky ripped open See the rain comin' through the gapin' wound Howlin' the women and children Who run into the arms Of America.

"Crumbs From Your Table" is about Bono's passion: Africa and their need for debt relief, medical intervention, and trade reform.

Crumbs From Your Table From the brightest star Comes the blackest hole You had so much to offer Why did you offer your soul? I was there for you baby When you needed my help Would you deny for others What you demand for yourself? Cool down mama, cool off Cool down mama, cool off You speak of signs and wonders I need something other I would believe if I was able But I’m waiting on the crumbs from your table You were pretty as a picture It was all there to see Then your face caught up with your psychology With a mouth full of teeth You ate all your friends And you broke every heart thinking every heart mends You speak of signs and wonders But I need something other I would believe if I was able But I’m waiting on the crumbs from your table Where you live should not decide Whether you live or whether you die Three to a bed Sister Ann, she said Dignity passes by And you speak of signs and wonders But I need something other I would believe if I was able I’m waiting on the crumbs from your table

"In God's Country" is about the tension between wonderful promise of the American Dream and the poisonous materialism and vanity that it often creates.

Desert sky, dream beneath the desert sky.
The rivers run but soon run dry.
We need new dreams tonight.
Desert rose, dreamed I saw a desert rose
Dress torn in ribbons and bows
Like a siren she calls (to me).

Sleep comes like a drug in God's country
Sad eyes, crooked crosses, in God's country

Set me alight, we'll punch a hole right through the night.
Every day the dreamers die to see what's on the other side.
She is liberty, and she comes to rescue me.
Hope, faith, her vanity
The greatest gift is gold.

Sleep comes like a drug in God's country
Sad eyes, crooked crosses, in God's country

Naked flame, she stands with a naked flame
I stand with the sons of Cain
Burned by the fire of love
Burned by the fire of love.