The General
Dispatch
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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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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.
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Release InformationThe song was originally released on the band's second album, "Bang Bang", which came out in 1997.
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Song PopularityThe song is often considered Dispatch's most popular song, having gained significant radio play and streaming numbers over the years.
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Music Genre"The General" is characterized as a mix of reggae, rock, and folk music, mirroring Dispatch's eclectic musical style.
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Lyrics InspirationThe 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.
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Live PerformanceWhen performing "The General" live, Dispatch usually invites the crowd to sing along with the chorus, creating a unifying and emotional experience.
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Music VideoThe music video for "The General" was directed by Lloyd Zimmerman, which features intense and poignant scenes reflecting the anti-war message of the song.
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InfluenceThe 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.
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SuccessDespite 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.
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Band DisbandmentDespite 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.
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CharityThe popularity of "The General" was leveraged to raise money for Zimbabwean humanitarian efforts, showcasing Dispatch's focus on activism and philanthropy.
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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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Citation
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"The General Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/27204755/Dispatch/The+General>.
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