The General

Dispatch

About The General

"The General" is a song by the roots rock band Dispatch.


Year:
2000
4:07
115 
#1

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There was a decorated General with a heart of gold
That likened him to all the stories he told
Of past battles won and lost and legends of old
A seasoned veteran in his own time

On the battlefield he gained respect for fame
With many metals of bravery and stripes to his name
He grew a beard as soon as he could to cover the scars on his face
And always urged his men on

But on the eve of great battle with the infantry and dream
The old general tossed in his sleep and wrestled with its meaning
He awoke from that night to tell what he had seen
And walked slowly out of his tent

All the men held tall with their chests in the air
With the courage in their blood and a fire in their stare
And it was a gray morning and they all wondered how they would fair
Till the old general told them to go home

He said
I have seen the others 
And I have discovered 
That this fight is not worth fighting
And I've have seen their mothers 
And I will no other 
To follow me where I'm going

So, take your shower, shine your shoes
You got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living
Take your shower, shine your shoes
Well, you got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living
Go now, you are forgiven

But the men stood fast with their guns on their shoulders
Not knowing what to do with the contradicting orders
The general said he would do his own duty but he would extend it no further
The men could go as they pleased

But not a man moved, their eyes gazed straight ahead
Till one by one they stepped back and not a word was said
And the old general was left with his own words echoing in his head
He then prepared to fight 

He said
I have seen the others 
And I have discovered 
That this fight is not worth fighting, no
And I've have seen their mothers 
And I will no other 
To follow me where I'm going

So, take your shower, shine your shoes
You got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living, yeah
Take your shower, shine your shoes
Well, you got no time to lose
You are young men, you must be living
Go now you are forgiven

Go now, you are forgiven 
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go

Go now, you are forgiven 
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, you are forgiven
Go

Go now, you are forgiven 
Go now, you are forgiven
Go now, got to be, got to be, got to be, got to be, got to be, hey (go now you are forgiven)

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Dispatch

Dispatch is an American indie/roots band. The band consists of Brad Corrigan (vocals, drums, guitar, percussion, and harmonica), Pete Francis Heimbold (vocals, bass and guitar), and Chad Urmston (vocals, guitar, bass, and percussion). more »

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Written by: Bradley Joseph Corrigan, Peter Heimbold, Charles Stokes Urmston

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Origin
"The General" is a song by "Dispatch," an indie-roots band that was established in Middlebury College, Vermont, United States in 1996.
Release Information
The song was originally released on the band's second album, "Bang Bang", which came out in 1997.
Song Popularity
The song is often considered Dispatch's most popular song, having gained significant radio play and streaming numbers over the years.
Music Genre
"The General" is characterized as a mix of reggae, rock, and folk music, mirroring Dispatch's eclectic musical style.
Lyrics Inspiration
The lyrics of "The General" tell the story of a military leader who comes to realize that war is not the solution to conflicts. The song sends a powerful message of pacifism.
Live Performance
When performing "The General" live, Dispatch usually invites the crowd to sing along with the chorus, creating a unifying and emotional experience.
Music Video
The music video for "The General" was directed by Lloyd Zimmerman, which features intense and poignant scenes reflecting the anti-war message of the song.
Influence
The song's catchy yet powerful nature has influenced other indie and pop-rock bands in their songwriting and performance style, reaching far beyond its initial release in the '90s.
Success
Despite the band's independent status and minimal promotion, "The General" landed on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, a rare accomplishment for an independent band.
Band Disbandment
Despite the success of "The General" and other songs, Dispatch decided to disband in 2002. However, they reunited in 2011 and continue to perform "The General" in their sets.
Charity
The popularity of "The General" was leveraged to raise money for Zimbabwean humanitarian efforts, showcasing Dispatch's focus on activism and philanthropy.
Cultural Impact
"The General" has been featured in several films and TV series, thus impacting pop culture beyond the music industry.

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