Draft Morning

The Byrds' song 'Draft Morning' is a poignant reflection on the impact of war, particularly the Vietnam War, on young soldiers. The opening lines, 'Sun warm on my face, I hear you / Down below movin' slow / And it's morning,' set a serene scene that is quickly contrasted by the grim reality of the draft. The warmth of the sun and the slow movement below suggest a peaceful morning, but this tranquility is shattered by the looming presence of war.

The lyrics 'Take my time this morning, no hurry / To learn to kill and take the will / From unknown faces' delve into the internal conflict faced by draftees. The protagonist is in no rush to start the day, knowing that it involves learning to kill and stripping away the will of strangers. This line captures the dehumanizing aspect of war, where soldiers are trained to see the enemy as faceless targets rather than human beings. The use of 'unknown faces' emphasizes the anonymity and the moral ambiguity of the conflict.

The final verse, 'Today was the day for action / Leave my bed to kill instead / Why should it happen?' encapsulates the sense of inevitability and helplessness felt by many young men during the draft. The protagonist is forced to leave the comfort of his bed to engage in violence, questioning the very nature of this forced action. The rhetorical question 'Why should it happen?' underscores the senselessness of war and the personal turmoil it causes. The Byrds use this song to critique the draft system and the broader implications of war, making 'Draft Morning' a powerful anti-war anthem that resonates with the emotional and psychological struggles of soldiers.