Drink Before The War
Sinead O'Connor · The Lion and the Cobra
And you tell us not to sing our song
Nothing we can say will make you see
You got a heart of stone
You can never feel
You say "oh I'm not afraid - it can't happen to me
I've lived my life as a good man
Oh, no you're out of your mind
It won't happen to me
Âœ°os I've carried my weight
And I've been a strong man"
Listen to the man in the liquor store
Yelling "anybody want a drink before the war?"
And your parents paid you through
You got a nice big car
Nothing bothers you
Somebody cut out your eyes
You refuse to see
Somebody cut out your heart
You refuse to feel
And you live in a shell
You create your own hell
You live in the past
And talk about war
And you dig your own grave yeah
But it's a life you can save
So stop getting fussed
It's not gonna happen
And you'll cry
But you'll never fall
No, no, no
You're building a wall
Gotta break it down
Start again
No, no, no
It won't happen to us
We've lived our lives
Basically we've been good men
So stop talking of war
Cause you know we've heard it all before
Why don't you go out there
And do something useful
Oh listen to the man in the liquor store
He yelling "anybody wanna drink before the war?"
"Anybody wanna drink before the war?"
"Anybody wanna drink before the war?"
Drink Before The War
Sinead O'Connor's 'Drink Before The War' stands as a defining track from her 1992 album, The Lion and the Cobra. Released during a period of intense personal and political activism, the song reflects her signature raw vocal delivery and confrontational style. The recording captures the turbulent energy of the early 1990s, blending elements of punk and folk rock with O'Connor's unique ability to channel social commentary. It serves as a powerful companion to her broader body of work, which often addressed themes of poverty, religion, and human resilience. The track remains a staple of her discography, illustrating her commitment to using music as a vehicle for unfiltered expression and cultural critique.