Post by Nonfatman on Nov 18, 2009 16:24:02 GMT -5
Another brilliant song. Bernie alluded to it on another thread as being pro-gun, but I'm not so sure about that. It's just another example of Ian playing devil's advocate, taking an unpopular or politically incorrect position for the purpose of presenting the other side of the argument, even though I suspect that he does not agree with that position at all. (Ian does have guns, and does hunt though, doesn't he?)
In this song, he acknowledges the dangers of guns, but let's the personified gun argue its case. The gun acknowledges that he understands the other point of view, stating that to tell the truth he scares himself too, but then proceeds to take the unpopular position that it is not the Gun who should be feared but the Man behind it.
Ian does this exact same thing in The Whaler's Dues, presenting the argument from the perspective of the whaler, whose comes from a family of whale-hunters, just trying to earn an honest living at what they know best. But, in truth, I really doubt that Ian is sympathetic to whalehunters, he's just trying to see things through their eyes. Silver River Turning is another example of this very interesting songwriting technique. Close the factory to clean up the river? Fine, but then you will put people out of work, so which is worse?
Jeff
In this song, he acknowledges the dangers of guns, but let's the personified gun argue its case. The gun acknowledges that he understands the other point of view, stating that to tell the truth he scares himself too, but then proceeds to take the unpopular position that it is not the Gun who should be feared but the Man behind it.
Ian does this exact same thing in The Whaler's Dues, presenting the argument from the perspective of the whaler, whose comes from a family of whale-hunters, just trying to earn an honest living at what they know best. But, in truth, I really doubt that Ian is sympathetic to whalehunters, he's just trying to see things through their eyes. Silver River Turning is another example of this very interesting songwriting technique. Close the factory to clean up the river? Fine, but then you will put people out of work, so which is worse?
Jeff
