Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords
Written By Jim Page.As preformed by the brilliant Moving Hearts with Christy Moore. It was around this time that my favorite Moving Hearts song was written and recorded which is All I Remember song. And I still have a fondness for it. , if only the lads would reform again , they were ahead of their time. This song is about the ending of the second world war. Back to the list of Christy Moore songs .
The sheet music / mandolin / tenor banjo tab for Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette is in the ebook of mandolin tabs here . The tin whistle notes are in my other ebook here
The sheet music / mandolin / tenor banjo tab for Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette is in the ebook of mandolin tabs here . The tin whistle notes are in my other ebook here
[Em]They[C] dropped the[D] bomb in[Em] '45 to end the world war,
No-[C]one had ever seen[D] such a terrible[Em] sight before,
TheC] world looked on with[D] eyes wide to[Em] see where it might lead,
The[C] politics of[D] power, they[Em] passed around their seed,
It was a[D] time to remember, we never can forget,
They[Em] were[C] playin' Hiroshi[D]ma, Naga[Em]saki, Russian Roulette.
They arose like the saviours of our modern human race,
With radiation haloes, that hung about their face,
With the key to the sure-cure, the treatment of our ills,
A hot-shot of cobalt, and a pocket-full of pills,
Speaking always of the enemy, who lurked across the sea,
While they crept in among us like a carrier disease.
Deep down inside the bunkers of the concrete and the lead,
Einstein's disciples working steadily ahead,
Making heavy metal power-plants to fire the city lights,
All you can hear in the underground is the humming through the night,
And the walls of tight security, circle all around,
Where they spill out their poison and bury it in the ground.
Holed up in the harbours hidden secretly away,
War-heads and submarines await to make their play,
The military masterminds improve on their design,
The soldiers get all doped up and stumble through the lines,
While the spills into the rivers get carried out by the tide,
They call this security but we're not satisfied.
Our statesmen and leaders and politicians pay,
Quick to heed the hand that feeds, they're careful what they say,
They call out experts to assure us, to wave their magic wands,
This is the power of the future, And the future marches on,
And they call in their favours, all their political gains,
While the spills fill the rivers and settle in the plains.
They've caused the death of millions, that's their stock and trade,
They will be afflicted by the fallout that they've made,
They've sealed their own inevitable doom, it must surely come,
Not even the moons of Jupiter will be far enough away to run,
When this earth that they've assaulted, begins to turn around,
And the unavoidable gravity, sucks them to the ground.
I know the minds behind them, they are riddled full of holes,
Not to be trusted with their hands at the controls,
Their eyesight it is twisted by the glory of their careers,
The heaped praise and flattery is music to their ears,
To listen to them talk about how it hasn't happened yet's,
Like playing Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian Roulette.
No-[C]one had ever seen[D] such a terrible[Em] sight before,
TheC] world looked on with[D] eyes wide to[Em] see where it might lead,
The[C] politics of[D] power, they[Em] passed around their seed,
It was a[D] time to remember, we never can forget,
They[Em] were[C] playin' Hiroshi[D]ma, Naga[Em]saki, Russian Roulette.
They arose like the saviours of our modern human race,
With radiation haloes, that hung about their face,
With the key to the sure-cure, the treatment of our ills,
A hot-shot of cobalt, and a pocket-full of pills,
Speaking always of the enemy, who lurked across the sea,
While they crept in among us like a carrier disease.
Deep down inside the bunkers of the concrete and the lead,
Einstein's disciples working steadily ahead,
Making heavy metal power-plants to fire the city lights,
All you can hear in the underground is the humming through the night,
And the walls of tight security, circle all around,
Where they spill out their poison and bury it in the ground.
Holed up in the harbours hidden secretly away,
War-heads and submarines await to make their play,
The military masterminds improve on their design,
The soldiers get all doped up and stumble through the lines,
While the spills into the rivers get carried out by the tide,
They call this security but we're not satisfied.
Our statesmen and leaders and politicians pay,
Quick to heed the hand that feeds, they're careful what they say,
They call out experts to assure us, to wave their magic wands,
This is the power of the future, And the future marches on,
And they call in their favours, all their political gains,
While the spills fill the rivers and settle in the plains.
They've caused the death of millions, that's their stock and trade,
They will be afflicted by the fallout that they've made,
They've sealed their own inevitable doom, it must surely come,
Not even the moons of Jupiter will be far enough away to run,
When this earth that they've assaulted, begins to turn around,
And the unavoidable gravity, sucks them to the ground.
I know the minds behind them, they are riddled full of holes,
Not to be trusted with their hands at the controls,
Their eyesight it is twisted by the glory of their careers,
The heaped praise and flattery is music to their ears,
To listen to them talk about how it hasn't happened yet's,
Like playing Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian Roulette.
Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette, a song written and performed by the band Moving Hearts, is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores the devastating effects of nuclear warfare. Released in 1981, during the height of the Cold War, the song serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of nuclear weapons and the potential consequences of their use.
The song begins with a haunting melody played on the uilleann pipes, a traditional Irish instrument. This mournful tune sets the tone for the rest of the song, creating a sense of unease and foreboding. The lyrics, written by Moving Hearts member Dónal Lunny, are a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of nuclear weapons and the devastating impact they have on innocent lives.
The title of the song, Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette, is a direct reference to the two Japanese cities that were bombed by the United States in 1945, effectively ending World War II. The use of the term 'Russian Roulette' implies the reckless and unpredictable nature of nuclear warfare, where the outcome is left to chance. The choice of these cities is significant, as they represent the only two instances where nuclear weapons have been used in warfare.
The first verse of the song paints a vivid picture of the aftermath of the bombings, with lines such as 'Trinity and Nagasaki, the ashes blew away' and 'Children born with cancer, in the ruins of today.' These lyrics highlight the long-term effects of nuclear weapons, not only on the immediate victims but also on future generations. The mention of Trinity, the site of the first nuclear test in New Mexico, serves as a reminder of the destructive power of these weapons and the role of the United States in their development.
The chorus of the song is a powerful and chilling repetition of the words 'Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette,' further emphasizing the indiscriminate and deadly nature of nuclear warfare. The use of repetition in the chorus drives home the message and leaves a lasting impact on the listener.
The second verse of the song shifts to a more personal perspective, with lines such as 'A mother stares in silence, a baby clutched in her hand' and 'Father stares in wonder, at the ruins of his land.' These lyrics humanize the victims of nuclear warfare, reminding us that they are not just statistics but real people with families and lives that have been forever changed.
The bridge of the song features a spoken word section, with the voice of an elderly woman recounting her memories of the bombings. This powerful addition adds a layer of authenticity to the song, as it is based on the firsthand experiences of survivors. The woman's words are haunting and heartbreaking, and serve as a reminder of the atrocities of war and the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons.
The final verse of the song shifts to a more global perspective, with lines such as 'The cold war's gone, but the threat remains the same' and 'In the hands of madmen, burning hell to reign.' These lyrics serve as a warning about the continued presence of nuclear weapons and the danger they pose in the wrong hands. The use of the phrase 'madmen' highlights the irrational and reckless nature of those who possess and are willing to use these weapons.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, driving home the message once again and leaving the listener with a sense of unease and urgency. The haunting melody of the uilleann pipes returns, serving as a reminder that the threat of nuclear war still looms over us.
Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette is more than just a song; it is a powerful and poignant commentary on the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare. Moving Hearts uses powerful imagery and poignant lyrics to convey the message that the use of nuclear weapons is a dangerous game with no winners, only victims. The song serves as a reminder of the need for peace and the importance of preventing the use of these deadly weapons.
In conclusion, Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences today. It serves as a powerful reminder of the horrors of nuclear warfare and the need for global peace and disarmament. The song's message is as relevant today as it was when it was first released, and it serves as a call to action for all of us to work towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
The song begins with a haunting melody played on the uilleann pipes, a traditional Irish instrument. This mournful tune sets the tone for the rest of the song, creating a sense of unease and foreboding. The lyrics, written by Moving Hearts member Dónal Lunny, are a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of nuclear weapons and the devastating impact they have on innocent lives.
The title of the song, Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette, is a direct reference to the two Japanese cities that were bombed by the United States in 1945, effectively ending World War II. The use of the term 'Russian Roulette' implies the reckless and unpredictable nature of nuclear warfare, where the outcome is left to chance. The choice of these cities is significant, as they represent the only two instances where nuclear weapons have been used in warfare.
The first verse of the song paints a vivid picture of the aftermath of the bombings, with lines such as 'Trinity and Nagasaki, the ashes blew away' and 'Children born with cancer, in the ruins of today.' These lyrics highlight the long-term effects of nuclear weapons, not only on the immediate victims but also on future generations. The mention of Trinity, the site of the first nuclear test in New Mexico, serves as a reminder of the destructive power of these weapons and the role of the United States in their development.
The chorus of the song is a powerful and chilling repetition of the words 'Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette,' further emphasizing the indiscriminate and deadly nature of nuclear warfare. The use of repetition in the chorus drives home the message and leaves a lasting impact on the listener.
The second verse of the song shifts to a more personal perspective, with lines such as 'A mother stares in silence, a baby clutched in her hand' and 'Father stares in wonder, at the ruins of his land.' These lyrics humanize the victims of nuclear warfare, reminding us that they are not just statistics but real people with families and lives that have been forever changed.
The bridge of the song features a spoken word section, with the voice of an elderly woman recounting her memories of the bombings. This powerful addition adds a layer of authenticity to the song, as it is based on the firsthand experiences of survivors. The woman's words are haunting and heartbreaking, and serve as a reminder of the atrocities of war and the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons.
The final verse of the song shifts to a more global perspective, with lines such as 'The cold war's gone, but the threat remains the same' and 'In the hands of madmen, burning hell to reign.' These lyrics serve as a warning about the continued presence of nuclear weapons and the danger they pose in the wrong hands. The use of the phrase 'madmen' highlights the irrational and reckless nature of those who possess and are willing to use these weapons.
The song ends with a repetition of the chorus, driving home the message once again and leaving the listener with a sense of unease and urgency. The haunting melody of the uilleann pipes returns, serving as a reminder that the threat of nuclear war still looms over us.
Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette is more than just a song; it is a powerful and poignant commentary on the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare. Moving Hearts uses powerful imagery and poignant lyrics to convey the message that the use of nuclear weapons is a dangerous game with no winners, only victims. The song serves as a reminder of the need for peace and the importance of preventing the use of these deadly weapons.
In conclusion, Hiroshima Nagasaki Russian Roulette is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with audiences today. It serves as a powerful reminder of the horrors of nuclear warfare and the need for global peace and disarmament. The song's message is as relevant today as it was when it was first released, and it serves as a call to action for all of us to work towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
