I Fought In a War

Album: Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant (2000)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This ballad is the opening track from the Scottish Indie Pop band Belle and Sebastian's album, Fold Your Hands Child, You Walk Like a Peasant. Despite its title, the tune is not a protest song. Frontman Stuart Murdoch explained in an interview with Uncut magazine that it, "was a personal song inspired by the atmosphere of the short story, For Esmé – with Love and Squalor by JD Salinger."

    Not surprising that a Belle and Sebastian song was influenced by a book: they are named after the children's book Belle et Sébastien by French author Cécile Aubry.
  • The twin sisters pictured on the album cover are Gyða and Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir - both former members of the Icelandic experimental group múm.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.

Gilby Clarke

Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews

The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Krishna Das

Krishna DasSongwriter Interviews

The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?

What Musicians Are Related to Other Musicians?Song Writing

A big list of musical marriages and family relations ranging from the simple to the truly dysfunctional.