With God On Our Side

Album: The Times They Are A-Changin' (1964)
Play Video
  • Oh my name it ain't nothin'
    My age it means less
    The country I come from
    Is called the Midwest
    I was taught and brought up there
    The laws to abide
    And that land that I live in
    Has God on its side

    Oh, the history books tell it
    They tell it so well
    The cavalries charged
    The Indians fell
    The cavalries charged
    The Indians died
    Oh, the country was young
    With God on its side

    The Spanish-American
    War had its day
    And the Civil War, too
    Was soon laid away
    And the names of the heroes
    I was made to memorize
    With guns in their hands
    And God on their side

    The First World War, boys
    It came and it went
    The reason for fighting
    I never did get
    But I learned to accept it
    Accept it with pride
    For you don't count the dead
    When God's on your side

    The Second World War
    Came to an end
    We forgave the Germans
    And then we were friends
    Though they murdered six million
    In the ovens they fried
    The Germans now, too
    Have God on their side

    I've learned to hate the Russians
    All through my whole life
    If another war comes
    It's them we must fight
    To hate them and fear them
    To run and to hide
    And accept it all bravely
    With God on my side

    But now we got weapons
    Of chemical dust
    If fire them, we're forced to
    Then fire, them we must
    One push of the button
    And a shot the world wide
    And you never ask questions
    When God's on your side

    Through many a dark hour
    I've been thinkin' about this
    That Jesus Christ was
    Betrayed by a kiss
    But I can't think for you
    You'll have to decide
    Whether Judas Iscariot
    Had God on his side.

    So now as I'm leavin'
    I'm weary as Hell
    The confusion I'm feelin'
    Ain't no tongue can tell
    The words fill my head
    And fall to the floor
    That if God's on our side
    He'll stop the next war Writer/s: Bob Dylan
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Tim Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Actors With Hit Songs

Actors With Hit SongsMusic Quiz

Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?

Scott Stapp

Scott StappSongwriter Interviews

The Creed lead singer reveals the "ego and self-fulfillment" he now sees in one of the band's biggest hits.

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"

Dave Alvin - "4th Of July"They're Playing My Song

When Dave recorded the first version of the song with his group the Blasters, producer Nick Lowe gave him some life-changing advice.