"The Lebanon" by The Human League is a song released in 1984 as a single. The lyrics depict a girl dreaming of a peaceful and carefree time in 1969 before the soldiers arrived in Lebanon. Life was simple, and sharing bread and wine was the norm without any shame. However, the girl is abruptly awakened by the screams of rockets flying nearby, indicating the start of a conflict. She clings onto her dreams as a way to overcome the fear of potentially dying in the war-torn environment. The perspective then shifts to a soldier who is departing from his camp. As he scans the world outside, he notices that shops have been replaced by hiding places for snipers. He had joined the military, hoping to maintain peace, but finds himself caught in the middle of a war instead. The repeating question of "who will have won when the soldiers have gone" signifies the uncertainty of the outcome and the loss experienced by both sides involved in the conflict. It highlights the tragic reality of war and questions the true meaning and resolution achieved by military actions. The song ultimately laments the destruction and violence caused by war and reflects on the impact it has on individuals and societies. It serves as a commentary on the Lebanese Civil War, which lasted from 1975 to 1990, and the human toll it took on the people caught in the conflict.
