No More

Eddie Vedder's song "No More" is a powerful anti-war anthem that speaks through the voice of a veteran who has experienced the horrors of battle firsthand. The lyrics convey the story of a man who sacrificed for his country, taking a bullet and spilling his blood in the dirt and dust. This veteran returns with a message that is hard to ignore: the atrocities he has witnessed are beyond belief, and mere prayers are not enough to bring about change. He calls upon us to take a stand and end the war immediately.

The chorus of the song is a resounding declaration of resistance. With his mind, heart, life, eyes, body, and voice, the veteran emphatically says, "no more war." This repetition underscores the urgency and the depth of his plea. Vedder uses this refrain to emphasize that the call for peace is not just a mental or emotional stance but a holistic demand encompassing every aspect of human existence. The veteran's message is clear: the time for passive acceptance is over, and active opposition is necessary.

Vedder also critiques the treatment of veterans in society. He points out the hypocrisy in the way veterans are revered in words but neglected in actions. The phrase "nothing's too good for a veteran" is contrasted with the reality that "nothing is what they will get." This critique extends to the lies told to justify war and the need for voices to be heard beyond the confines of the White House. The song culminates in a list of things that must end: innocents dying, terrorizing, eulogizing, evangelizing, and presidents lying. The overarching message is a call for truth, justice, and, most importantly, peace.