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Rebel Waltz Lyrics

Artist: The Clash
Album: Sandinista!

I slept and I dreamed of a time long ago
I saw an army of rebels, dancing on air
I dreamed as I slept, I could see the campfires,
A song of the battle, that was born in the flames,
and the rebels were waltzing on air.

I danced with a girl to the tune of a waltz
that was written to be danced on the battlefield
I danced to the tune of a voice of a girl
A voice that called "Stand till we fall
we stand till all the boys fall."

As we danced came the news that the war was not won
5 armies were coming, with carrige and gun
Through the heart of the camp
swept the news from the front
A cloud crossed the moon, a child cried for food
We knew the war could not be won.

So we danced with a rifle, to the rhythm of the gun
in a glade through the trees i saw my only one
Then the earth seemed to rise hell hot as the sun
The soldiers were dying, there was tune to the sighing.
The song was an old rebel one.

As the smoke of our hopes rose high from the field
My eyes played tricks through the moon and the trees
I slept as I dreamed I saw the army rise
A voice began to call, stand till you fall
The tune was an old rebel one.

Comments/Interpretations

by flyin_brian on 8/28/2008 8:53am
When I first heard this song, my thought was "What's this doing on a Clash album?" Now I love it. It's haunting yet enticing.

The lyrics tell a story of the folly of war. Comfortable soldiers think victory will come easily, only to discover they are doomed. The final stanza describes their demise.

It's typical Strummer. Of aristocratic upbringing, he lashed at their thinking and conceits.