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This song is about inhumanity, particularly in the context of war. The song contradicts the belief that war is necessary to eventually reach peace, as displayed in the lyrics "War, the only way to peace, well I don't fall for that." The song also talks about the way people kill others without even thinking about it, almost in a robotic fashion: "How is this hate so deep, lead us all so blindly killing killing, fools we are." The song also discusses the US government's lies concerning war and their idea of supremacy in the world: "Right is wrong now, shut up you big lie." The last topic discussed is the pain caused by war, especially towards the families of those killed: "Mother's cry is hate so deep, must a baby's bones this hungry fire feed." (thanks, Liz - Ridgewood, NJ)

Jerusalem was "The last stop" on a migration for both Jews and Muslims. In the first stanza Matthews tells us that the setting is at night and a fire is from the east. In this context, that could be The East Bank at Gaza, a place where Islamic people live and are constantly under "fire" militaristically and ideologically from the Israeli government.
The next two stanzas are the voice of a humanistic person: "Fools are we, if hate's the gate to peace." He could be questioning the US's backing of Israel
. The next stanza's voice is of a Muslim who cries against the attacks: "War, the only way to peace?" He later says, "Go away and dream, go away believe that we (Muslims) are the chosen ones," as Jews are often referred to as the chosen people.
Then a Jewish voice makes a rebuttal: "Oh no gracious heathen god, blooded on the cross are sins are washed enough," meaning that the Jews have paid their debts through persecution and deserve the "last stop."
Then the Muslim again: "Right is wrong now shut up the big lie." The big lie being that they (Palestinians) are getting equality. Then it repeats an earlier argument.
The next line seems to be the Jewish voice towards the Christian (the US): "We hope to break it down, so it's not so black and white." This is a half-veiled attempt at peace, followed by, "It's black and white" saying that maybe they can't change.
The last stanza goes back to the Islamic view, yet there is still the hope to "Break it down." (thanks, nelson - left field)

Comments:

Anyways, yeah, this is one of my all-time favorite songs; since I don't like playing favorites (in a specific sense,) the fact that this song was once my #1 favorite is saying something! It's still probably in my Top 5 or Top 3... YOU ROCK, DAVE!!! Well, okay, I'm not so hot about his newer stuff, but he's still undeniably one of my favorite artists!
- Matthew, Milford, MA

Oh, yeah, I used to see this song as basically Moses yelling at the Pharoh. To be honest, it was kind of funny visualizing Moses ranting and raving at the Pharoh, but it isn't really in his character... It wasn't until much later that I realized that it was referring to the modern-day conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians (Jews and Arabs.) And, it certainly does make much more sense in the context of this conflict in the Middle East, with both groups fighting for the land that they consider to be their home. The violence is certainly senseless, and it clearly causes a lot of distress to the women losing their babies, but that doesn't stop the Jews and Arabs from continuing to try to blow each other to kingdom come. As for the "chosen one" bit... perhaps the Arabs are trying to insult the Jews? The "righteous, so righteous, you're always so righteous" part could be the Jews accusing the Arabs of hypocrisy.
- Matthew, Milford, MA

I really do wonder what the "seven stones" line at the beginning of the song is supposed to mean. I always end up thinking of the Chaos Emeralds from the Sonic the Hedgehog series, but there's no way that those could be what Dave Matthews is referring to. Besides, if the Chaos Emeralds could be placed into this context, so could any other set of seven magical/mystical/supernatural/holy/cursed stones or jewels. Since the song is about the conflict between the Jews of Israel and the Arabs of Palestine, the seven stones are most likely from a Jewish, Muslim, or Arabian legend. Perhaps it was the box of stones that Ali Baba had to pick from in order to claim a hoard of treasure in the Arabian Nights, but there are plenty of other possibilities... I'd really appreciate it if somebody could figure out what the "seven stones" are.
- Matthew, Milford, MA

It says, "Go ahead, believe that you are the chosen one." In other words, Matthews is saying that terrorists and soldiers can continue living in their sententious dreams, but they shouldn't be surprised if they wake up one day to find themselves in hell!
- Matthew, Milford, MA

This was my favorite song for a long time, for many of the reasons described below. It's recently been upstaged by Boston's "Higher Power", but it is still one of my all-time favorite songs. I'd love to see this more often... EBA, anyone?
- Matthew, Milford, MA

Is anyone out there familiar with Leonard Bernstein's piece "Chichester Psalms"? If so, have you ever thought about the similarities between that and this song? I'm referring to how they both have their war sections, filled with terrible, smoke-filled images of death and destruction, interspersed with and/or followed by a brief peaceful passage replete with lovely and soothing music of hope; a hope that I'm sure most all of us cling to even as the wars wage and "the nations rage."
- Ash, Charleston, WV

"You nail good to a tree and then say 'Forgive me, forgive me." I agree, this is obviously refering to the crucifiction of Jesus and sinners.
- Tyler, Jackson, MS

This song is obviously about Jerusalem, "the last stop" on a migragtion for both Jews and Muslims. In the first stanza Dave tells us that the setting is at night and a fire is from the east. One could ponder what the east represents for a while, but since we're dealing with Jews and Muslims I believe that it is The East Bank at Gaza, a place where Islamic people live and are constantly under "fire" militaristically and idealogically from the Israeli gov't. The next two stanzas voice is dave, or a humanistic person, "fools are we, if hate's the gate to peace". Maybe he is questioning the US's backing of Israel via weapons caches. The next stanza's voice is of a Muslam who cries against the attacks,"War, the only way to peace?". He later says, "go away and dream, go away believe that we(Muslims) are the chosen ones", as Jews are often reffered to as the chosen people. Then a Jewish voice makes a rebuttal, "Oh no gracious heathen god, Blooded on the cross are sins are washed enough". Meaning that the Jews have payed their debts through persecution and deserve the "last stop". Then the Muslam again, "right is wrong now shut up the big lie". The big lie being that they(Palestinians) are getting equality? Then it repeats an earlier argument. The next line seems to be the Jewish voice towards the christian(the U.S). "we hope to break it down, so its not so black and white" a half veiled attempt at peace, followed by "its black and white" saying that maybe they can't change. Then saying, your right so righteous. an apology for killing christ. The last stanza goes back to the Islamic view, yet there is still the hope to "break it down".
- nelson, left field

I'd like to sing parts of this song to George W. Bush's face: "War. The only way to peace? Well, I don't fall for that. And you're righteous, so righteous, you're always so right. Go ahead and dream. Go ahead, believe that we are the chosen ones."
- Ash, Charleston, WV

This song is amazing, and I also wonder why it's not referenced more in regards to war. The music and lyrics are haunting. Love it!
- kelly, los angeles, CA

Dave is a very under-appreciated lyricist...I personally think he writes some of the best lyrics out there and isn't afraid to touch any topic..subtly or not
- Grey, knoxville, TN

I'm surprised that this song is not used more often in protests against war. Jo has a point, you can draw close associations with the crucifixion and this song. I believe it is a condemnation of the hypocrisy of religious leaders who use their beliefs to justify wars and killing. More people should listen to this song.
- Ben, harpers ferry, WV

True, it's a modern-day reference, but its basically the bible crucifiction story. It's easy to hear this if you listen to the lyrics closely.
- Jo, Melbourne, Australia