Bat Gehiago

Latzen's song 'Bat Gehiago' is a powerful anthem that delves into the themes of militarism, personal freedom, and resistance. The lyrics, sung in Basque, reflect a deep-seated frustration with the imposition of military service and the broader implications of such enforced duties. The opening lines, 'Nire bizitza apurtuz / Urte batez nahi naute,' translate to 'Breaking my life / They want me for a year,' setting the tone for a narrative of personal disruption and unwilling conscription. The artist's use of 'arma sorbaldan hartuta' (with a weapon on my shoulder) symbolizes the burden and the forced nature of this service, which is meant to maintain a 'foreign land'—a metaphor for a state or system that feels alien and oppressive to the individual.

The song critiques the 'militarren bihotz txikiak' (small hearts of the military), highlighting the emotional and moral disconnect of those who enforce such systems. The 'bi kolorezkoak' (two-colored) hearts could symbolize a duality or hypocrisy within the military's intentions and actions. The repeated phrase 'atzerri hurbil bat' (a nearby foreign land) underscores the alienation and estrangement felt by the individual, who sees the military's goals as foreign and disconnected from their own values and identity.

Latzen also addresses the broader societal implications of militarism, touching on themes of power and hatred. The lines 'Boterearen gorrotoa / Aurkitzen dugu armadan' (We find the hatred of power in the army) and 'Gorrotoaren boterea berriz / Ezerezean, tortura mentala' (The power of hatred again / In nothingness, mental torture) suggest a cycle of power and hatred perpetuated by military structures, leading to psychological torment. The song's refrain about insubordination ('intsumisioarekin') and the call to not be labeled ('Esan ez deitzeko!') reflect a strong stance against conformity and the loss of personal identity. 'Bat Gehiago' is not just a song; it's a rallying cry for resistance and a poignant critique of the dehumanizing aspects of militarism.