The song The Fighting Line by John Mayall is about a man who is conscripted to fight in a war and is reluctant to do so. He feels that his luck is always bad and is afraid that he will be killed in battle. He expresses his desire to do paperwork instead of being put on the front lines, as he does not want to risk losing his life. The protagonist is given some time off before being sent to fight, but he knows that it is only a matter of time before he has to leave. He feels that he does not have enough time to do the things he wants to do and wishes he could stay longer. As the war rages on, the protagonist realizes that he cannot continue to run from the fighting line. He acknowledges that it is a risk to be in battle, but he is determined to survive. He hopes that he will not have to give his life for the cause and that he will be able to return home to his loved ones. Overall, The Fighting Line is a song about the horrors of war and the fear and uncertainty that come with it. The protagonist expresses his desire to avoid the fighting, but ultimately realizes that he must face it head-on if he wants to survive.
