The song "They Want War" by U.D.O. addresses the tragic reality of child soldiers and the devastating impact war has on innocent lives. The lyrics convey the message that these young children are manipulated by adults and forced to carry out violent acts. The song begins by acknowledging that these children are naive and impressionable, believing what they see and following instructions without question. Despite their young age, they are sent to war, where they meet their untimely deaths. The lyrics emphasize the anonymity and insignificance of these children, as they are smaller than the weapons they wield. The chorus reflects on the innocence lost as these children die without ever experiencing true sorrow or being able to express their pain. The song questions who is responsible for teaching them to pray and convincing them that death in war will lead to paradise. The lyrics go on to highlight the blindness and inability of these children to fight against their circumstances. They are portrayed as victims who are manipulated into desiring war without truly understanding its consequences. Towards the end of the song, the lyrics condemn those who exploit these children and take lives without remorse. The song suggests that those responsible for the suffering of child soldiers will face punishment in hell. The song concludes with a plea for these children to avoid entering the battlefield, emphasizing their vulnerability and likening them to fragile little birds with fluttering hearts. Overall, "They Want War" serves as a critique of the manipulation and tragedy surrounding child soldiers, urging listeners to recognize and address the horrors that young individuals are subjected to in armed conflicts.
