☝️ Key Points
- The song is about a young soldier who thinks the war is over, but is warned by an experienced soldier that the battle is not yet over.
- The experienced soldier shows the young soldier how the battle continues and that every man killed would prefer to keep on living.
- The song emphasizes the importance of the emotional and psychological effects of war on people.
- It is emphasized that the true battle is fought in the hearts of the survivors, who will mourn for the rest of their lives.
- In the end, the young soldier realizes that the battle is not yet over and that he is ready to keep fighting.
Interpretation
"The Big Battle" by
Johnny Cash is about a young soldier who thinks that the war is over and he can put down his weapon. He is tired of hiding and thinks that everything is finished. However, an experienced soldier warns him not to feel safe too soon.
The soldier explains that the battle is not over yet and it has just begun. He cautions the young soldier to not be reckless and to stay on the ground. He suggests him to listen carefully.
The experienced soldier describes how the battle still rages on, even if the enemies have disappeared. The shots echo and every man killed would have wanted to keep on living. He shows the young soldier the dead friend Jim Mc Kenney and asks him to deliver the sad news to his wife.
The soldier explains to the young soldier that the real battle is just beginning. It is not fought with cannons or in close combat. The battle is fought in the hearts of mothers, wives, and sisters who will mourn for the rest of their lives. He encourages the young soldier to stand up and keep fighting for those who have given everything.
At the end of the song, the young soldier realizes that the battle is not over yet and he is ready to keep fighting, even if there are no cannon shots or smoke in the sky. He is ready for the big battle.
"The Big Battle" by Johnny Cash is a song that shows the reality of war and its ongoing impact on people. It reminds us that the fight does not end with the physical battle, but that the emotional and psychological consequences often last a lifetime.