General

Dispatch

About General

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


Year:
2008
7:03
131 
#2

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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

Song Origin and Release
"The General" is a song by the indie band Dispatch, released in 1998.
Album Information
The track is from Dispatch's second album "Bang Bang" which saw significant success and was central to the band's rise in popularity.
Genre and Style
The song falls under the genre of Indie Rock and is known for smooth beats and reflective lyrics. It also has elements of reggae and funk.
Band Composition
Dispatch is a three-man band composed of Brad Corrigan, Pete Francis, and Chad Urmston. All three share duties as lead vocals, giving their songs a unique range.
Popularity
"The General" is probably the most popular song by Dispatch, frequently played on college radio stations.
Song Theme
The song captures a conversation between an old, tired general and his soldiers, probing deep into the theme of power, war, and peace.
Performance
Despite being an indie band, Dispatch's well-attended live performances of “The General” have often been praised as the highlight of their concerts.
Lyrics
The lyric "Go now, you are forgiven" is widely quoted and appreciated for its profound message.
Song Influence
The General has been covered by many other independent artists, proving its influence in the indie rock community.
Band Break and Reunion
Dispatch announced a break-up in 2002, but the band has since reunited. Despite their hiatus, "The General" has remained a fan-favorite over the years.
Purpose
The song, with its gripping narrative about a general telling his men to leave the battlefield and live their lives, is often understood as an anti-war statement.
Music Video
The music video of the "The General" is noted for its simple, low-budget feel which aligns with Dispatch's independent, non-commercial values.

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