Metallica Rocks WWI

Metallica came out with the song ONE a few years ago. You can find a the video here.
The song is based on the anti-war novel Johnny got his Gun that in the thirties before WW2 and was made into a movie in the 1970's.
The song and the video are very powerful.

After watching the video tell me about your impressions. What messages are being sent? How do the musicians create the mood of the song? What lyrics strike you as being important? Do the cuts to the movie add or detract from the video?


There is quite a body of poetry written about World War I. This is one of my favorites that I feel captures the tragedy of the war. Let me know if you feel the same.

The Hero
Siegfried Sassoon


'Jack fell as he'd have wished,' the Mother said,
And folded up the letter that she'd read.
'The Colonel writes so nicely.' Something broke
In the tired voice that quavered to a choke.
She half looked up. 'We mothers are so proud
Of our dead soldiers.' Then her face was bowed.

Quietly the Brother Officer went out.
He'd told the poor old dear some gallant lies
That she would nourish all her days, no doubt.
For while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyes
Had shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy,
Because he'd been so brave, her glorious boy.

He thought how 'Jack', cold-footed, useless swine,
Had panicked down the trench that night the mine
Went up at Wicked Corner; how he'd tried
To get sent home, and how, at last, he died,
Blown to small bits. And no one seemed to care
Except that lonely woman with white hair.