Mary Hopkin's song Red, White and Blue is a powerful anti-war anthem. The lyrics speak of the horrors of war, and the toll it takes on both the soldiers who fight and the women and children left behind. The song criticizes the fantasies of glory and reward that young boys have, and the fact that women's warnings are often ignored. The imagery of the song is haunting, as it describes the blood flowing on the battlefield, the dying light of broken dreams, and the overcast sky as war clouds gather. One of the key messages of the song is that the red, white and blue of a country's flag is often used to manipulate people into fighting, but in the end, it makes no difference in the "crazy game" of war. The song pulls no punches in its critique of war and its devastating effects on human life. The chorus particularly hammers home this message, as it paints a bleak picture of soldiers being reduced to mere numbers, with no names or identities. Ultimately, the song is a plea for peace and an end to the senseless violence that war brings.
