Heroes...

I don't keep up with the farce which is the singles chart these days (who above the age of 13 does?) so I hadn't heard the X Factor finalist's version of Bowie's 'Heroes' until today. 


I am annoyed about it.


I hardly think that was what Bowie had in mind when he wrote that song - it's about heroism in your own life - about self realisation.  There's also that famous bit about the two lovers standing by the Berlin wall - it's use in this most recent context seems very inappropriate to me.


So much of this talk of 'heroes' in the army these days is basically a reaction to protest about the wars - it just has that taste to it.  I think we all know that's what it's really about.  I think you can tell this because the pictures of wounded soldiers is not accompanied by any message of 'this shouldn't be happening'.  


It's not inevitable.  Unlike the soldiers and everyday people who lived through World War II when this country was under direct, tangible threat.  No one could say 'this shouldn't be happening' - only 'it's sad - but this must happen if we are to survive' - when we saw pictures of the consequences of war.


But the more recent conflicts we've been involved in are much more complicated and difficult than that.  


So I suggest this - much more appropriate to recent conflicts, although it was written about an older one : 


Is it worth it?
A new winter coat and shoes for the wife
And a bicycle on the boy's birthday
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
By the women and children
Soon we'll be shipbuilding

Well I ask you
The boy said, "Dad they're going to take me to task
But I'll be back by Christmas"
It's just a rumour that was spread around town
Somebody said that someone got filled in
For saying that people get killed
in the result of this shipbuilding

With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls

It's just a rumour that was spread around town
A telegram or a picture-postcard
Within weeks they'll be re-opening the shipyard
And notifying the next of kin once again

It's all we're skilled in
We will be shipbuilding

With all the will in the world
Diving for dear life
When we could be diving for pearls