Cover art for Start a War by The National

Start a War

May. 22, 20071 viewer31.2K views

Start a War Lyrics

[Refrain]
We expected something, something better than before
We expected something more


[Verse 1]
Do you really think you can just put it in a safe
Behind a painting, lock it up and leave?

Do you really think you can just put it in a safe
Behind a painting, lock it up and leave?
Walk away now and you're gonna start a war


[Chorus]
Whatever went away, I'll get it over again
I'll get money, I'll get funny again

Whatever went away, I'll get it over again
I'll get money, I'll get funny again
Walk away now and you're gonna start a war

[Refrain]
We expected something, something better than before
We expected something more

[Verse 2]
You were always weird, but I never had to hold you
By the edges like I do now

You were always weird, but I never had to hold you
By the edges like I do now
Walk away now and you're gonna start a war

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About

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Genius Annotation

The eight track on The National’s fourth studio album, ‘Boxer’. The song is about a disintegrating relationship where the failing narrator threatens to ‘start a war’. It’s never actually mentioned what starting a war would mean, but from the way the drums build up and the ominous sounds are introduced and simply fade away at the song’s climax, it’s shown that the narrator can’t find the nerve to ever start it.

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