Re: Brothers in Arms Lyrics -- Israel?

[Paula E. Kirman <paula...>]

MessageKnopfler's father was Jewish.
 - Paula

www.insideworldmusic.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Seth Rogovoy 
  To: World music from a Jewish slant 
  Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 8:00 AM
  Subject: RE: Brothers in Arms Lyrics -- Israel?


  There is definitely some intention on Knopfler's part to connect this to 
Israel. There was a video made for this song (which may not have been the main 
video aired when it was a single) that aired on MTV at one point, maybe on a 
Dire Straits special, or something, in which it comprised in large part of 
scenes from an early Israeli war ('48?, '56?). The Magen David Adom trucks were 
the most blatant specific reference.

  somewhere i think i have a copy of this video, but I don't know if i could 
track it down easily.

  I've never been able to pin down anything more about this. ANd I've gotten 
conflicting information as to whether or not Knopfler is even Jewish.
    -----Original Message-----
    From: owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-jewish-music 
(at) shamash(dot)org] On Behalf Of Robert Wiener
    Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2004 7:19 AM
    To: World music from a Jewish slant
    Cc: Avi Finegold
    Subject: Brothers in Arms Lyrics -- Israel?


    Avi Finegold mentioned some time back that the song "Brothers in Arms" by 
Dire Straits is related to Israel.  Below are his comments on how its lyrics 
relate to war in Israel.  Avi has suggested that I ask the list what you think 
about that idea -- based on the lyrics themselves or other material (such as 
hearsay, interviews, live concert intros -- for example, in a video of concert 
in Israel)?

    Thanks,
    Bob


    Brothers In Arms Lyrics

    These mist covered mountains
    Are a home now for me
    But my home is the lowlands
    And always will be

    -fighting in the golan, but the soldier lives elsewhere-


    Some day you'll return to
    Your valleys and your farms
    And you'll no longer burn
    To be brothers in arms

    Through these fields of destruction
    Baptisms of fire
    I've witnessed your suffering
    As the battles raged higher
    And though they did hurt me so bad
    In the fear and alarm
    You did not desert me
    My brothers in arms

    -the strong feeling of close kin when fighting next to one in war-


    There's so many different worlds
    So many differents suns
    And we have just one world
    But we live in different ones

    -wo this one's a cincher, the soldier realizes that though there is but one 
area that they inhabit they
    come from vastly different worldviews and this affects their lives and who 
they fight for profoundly-


    Now the sun's gone to hell
    And the moon's riding high
    Let me bid you farewell
    Every man has to die
    But it's written in the starlight
    And every line on your palm
    We're fools to make war
    On our brothers in arms

    -even though the above is true the soldier still sees the futility of 
fighting against one who will never come to see his worldview or vice versa-
    (aside from the references made above it is quite clear that the song is 
about war and battle)

    (comments by Avi Finegold)