Veteran Of The Psychic Wars
Blue Oyster Cult · Fire of Un-Known Origin
IÂ’ve been living on the edge so long
Where the winds of limbo roar
And IÂ’m young enough to look at
And far too old to see
All the scars are on the inside
IÂ’m not sure that thereÂ’s anything left to me
DonÂ’t let these shakes go on
ItÂ’s time we had a break from it
ItÂ’s time we had some leave
WeÂ’ve been living in the flames
WeÂ’ve been eating up our brains
Oh please donÂ’t let these shakes go on
You ask me why IÂ’m weary, why I canÂ’t speak to you
You blame me for my silence say ItÂ’s time I changed and grew
But the warÂ’s still going on, dear, and thereÂ’s no end that I know
And I canÂ’t say if weÂ’re ever...
I canÂ’t say if were ever gonna be free
DonÂ’t let these shakes go on
ItÂ’s time we had a break from it
ItÂ’s time we had some leave
WeÂ’ve been living in the flames
WeÂ’ve been eating out our brains
Oh please donÂ’t let these shakes go on
You see me now a veteran of a thousand psychic wars
My energyÂ’s spent at last
And my armor is destroyed
I have used up all my weapons and IÂ’m helpless and bereaved
Wounds are all IÂ’m made of
Did I hear you say that this is victory?
DonÂ’t let these shakes go on
ItÂ’s time we had a break from it
Send me to the rear
Where the tides of madness swell
And been sliding into hell
Oh please donÂ’t let these shakes go on
DonÂ’t let these shakes go on
DonÂ’t let these shakes go on
Veteran Of The Psychic Wars
Veteran Of The Psychic Wars stands as a compelling track from Blue Oyster Cult's 1981 album, Fire of Un-Known Origin. Emerging during a period where the band explored darker, more experimental territories, the song reflects their signature blend of hard rock and science fiction themes. The recording captures the group's ability to weave intricate narratives into their music, maintaining the atmospheric depth that defined their earlier work while embracing the synthesizer-driven textures of the early eighties. As part of a discography rich with conceptual storytelling, this piece highlights the band's enduring fascination with the supernatural and the psychological. It remains a notable song in their catalogue, showcasing the creative evolution that kept them relevant through shifting musical landscapes without relying on simple hooks or overt commercialism.