The
vocal commitment to the lyrics of “The War” has the power to reshape the state
of mind of a listener. For the too many who suffer through mental illness, the
song from Amelie Patterson encourages the willingness to battle. And for those
who know someone in that battle, the song fosters empathy and promotes the
willingness to assist in the struggle. Our best understanding of the lyrics is
included at the bottom of this post. The song was written from the perspective of someone encouraging
a loved one to “fight the war.”
“The
War” begins with the minimalist yet emotion-packed combination of acoustic
guitar and the voice of Amelie Patterson. But there are times when the production
is powerful. Just beyond the one-minute mark, percussion punctuates the start
of a verse. During the more than a minute that follows, the instrumentation builds
in texture and complexity. But the essence of the song is Patterson and her promise
to play a role once the person “finds your fight.”
While
talking about “The War,” Amelie Patterson explained:
“It's a song about recognizing the invisible struggles that others are going through, and finding your own place as you lend support for a battle you can’t fight. 'The War' was written as one side of an incredibly difficult conversation to have. It’s a plea, asking a loved one to stay and fight through the darkness. It’s a very helpless situation watching someone suffer when all you can offer is your love and support. No one has to battle against mental illness alone, but taking the steps to address it has to come from within; and that can be its own war for both parties.”
Amelie
Patterson is from western Canada. Her skillfully crafted lyrics have earned her
a reputation as one of western Canada’s best songwriters, enough to merit
becoming the first-ever poet-laureate of Banff, Alberta. "The War"
was recorded in Calgary with producer Will Maclellan (Phoebe Bridgers, Paul
McCartney, Taylor Swift) with long-time collaborators Barry Mason, Carson Gant
and Kyle Tenove.
“The
War” is the title track of a full-length record that is scheduled for release
in May 2023. The songs that make up the EP are an emotional and auditory
pathway, allowing Amelie to “walk you hand in hand through the human
condition." Each song on the EP has developed over years and each came
into shape with its own set of collaborators including producers Brayden Bell
(Shuffalo, We Are Crickets), Will MacLellan, Brock Geiger (Reuben and the Dark)
and Phenix Warren (Michael Bernard Fitzgerald). Anchored by delicate acoustic
guitar, Amelie’s sophisticated folk foundations are adorned with polite
instrumentation cueing dramatic depth that echoes contemporaries like Brandie
Carlisle, Laura Marling, or Soccer Mommy.
“The War” by Amelie Patterson
“It's a song about recognizing the invisible struggles that others are going through, and finding your own place as you lend support for a battle you can’t fight. 'The War' was written as one side of an incredibly difficult conversation to have. It’s a plea, asking a loved one to stay and fight through the darkness. It’s a very helpless situation watching someone suffer when all you can offer is your love and support. No one has to battle against mental illness alone, but taking the steps to address it has to come from within; and that can be its own war for both parties.”
“The War” by Amelie Patterson
Lyrics of “The War” by Amelie Patterson (some errors?)
You wear it like a skin
You made a show and put it forward
To prevent us breaking in
It’s closing like a vice
All that love and sacrifice
Time to pay the price
And fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
Don’t be the bones
I’ll be the blood
I’ll be the muscle
You make them move
Where lies a heart that is beating
If it’s beating, that’s your truth
Where the body breaks, and the toil overtakes
I’ll give you mine
But it’s time
To fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
And hold on darling find your fight
Let it be your gravity that pulls you to the light
Hold on darling find your fight
Let it be your gravity that pulls you back to me
To fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
I can see it, I can see it
I can see it in your eyes
It’s heavier than me
But I’m strong and I’m steady
I’m like stones within the sea
Fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
And hold on darling find your fight
Let it be your gravity that pulls you to the light
Hold on darling find your fight
Don’t you dare go gentle to that God forsaken night
Just the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
You wear it like a skin
You made a show and put it forward
To prevent us breaking in
It’s closing like a vice
All that love and sacrifice
Time to pay the price
And fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
Don’t be the bones
I’ll be the blood
I’ll be the muscle
You make them move
Where lies a heart that is beating
If it’s beating, that’s your truth
Where the body breaks, and the toil overtakes
I’ll give you mine
But it’s time
To fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
And hold on darling find your fight
Let it be your gravity that pulls you to the light
Hold on darling find your fight
Let it be your gravity that pulls you back to me
To fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
I can see it, I can see it
I can see it in your eyes
It’s heavier than me
But I’m strong and I’m steady
I’m like stones within the sea
Fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
And hold on darling find your fight
Let it be your gravity that pulls you to the light
Hold on darling find your fight
Don’t you dare go gentle to that God forsaken night
Just the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
Fight the war
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