With God On Our Side by Bob Dylan

Album: The Times They Are A-Changin' (1964)

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This is an anti-war song with a clear religious element. It calls into question the idea that God was on the side of the winners of wars, ending with the idea that "if God's on our side He'll stop the next war."
Manfred Mann covered "With God On Our Side" for their 1965 The One In The Middle EP. The band recorded the track after Dylan praised their musicianship; they followed it with several other Dylan covers over the years, including their successful versions of "Just Like A Woman" and "Quinn The Eskimo."

Comments: 9

Colin from Navan, IrelandFirst song that got me interested in Bob Dylan!!
Mike from Ocala, FlFor Matt Re: the Indians. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifest_Destiny
Guy from Woodinville, WaDylan exposes the great hypocrisy of people who think God takes sides in our endless wars. Isn't it curious how both sides pray fervently for victory to the same god? Just one more reason to not believe and seriously question those who do.
Matt from Kansas City, KsI love the fact that he mentions the killing of Indians, and somehow god had something to do with it.

Also when he mentions Jesus and Judas, and how this way of thinking...God being on the side of the winners...that God must have been on the side of Judas.
Jordan from Atlanta, GaGreat Song, but I always thought it was funny that he mentions the spanish american war first followed by the civil war, when all the other wars are in proper order. Maybe just a lyrical choice?
David from Youngstown, OhWhat an incredibly powerful song. Manfred Mann does a great rendition of it.
Tajmahal from ManilaIs this the same song covered by Wiretrain in the
80's?
C from No., EnglandFantastic song. Someone has to say stuff like this to epople who still, hundreds of years after the crusades, try to justify wars with religion.
William from Gotha, GermanyI heard this song for the first time when I was 12 or so, and it blew my mind. Made my rethink my sense of patriotism, belief Jesus, justification of war, the whole bunch. Powerful song.

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