21 Guns

I'm pretty sure Christian was the one laid to rest in this one. Because the next track is American Eulogy is the song about Christian's death and See the light is about reprieve from a lifetime of pain. Just how I see it.

I think the "one, twenty-one guns" has a double meaning. You're right about the "importance of the individual" (quoted because I couldn't put it better than that) but I also think it's two people as one entity, love or something like it. I believe it serves as a reference back to C&G, or any struggling couple. Otherwise, why would they stick the lyric "You and I" at the end of the chorus?

Yes, I was thinking of U2 as well with this song; actually, I was more thinking of Like a Song and Sunday Bloody Sunday (or maybe just the War album in general), with the whole knowing what's worth fighting for bit, and the lay down your arms bit. But the same surrendering theme overall, I think.<br /> <br /> The 21 gun salute is interesting; while it's used for the funeral of presidents, it was traditionally used to signify surrender or peace, I believe, in naval battles (the ships would shoot their weapons until they had no ammunition left). So the "one" could also be talking about the result of surrender (ie, if both sides stop fighting, then there aren't two sides anymore).

"Don't be an agnostic, believe in something."<br /> <br /> i do hope youre kidding<br /> <br /> agnostic's believe in something they just cant identify<br /> <br /> atheist dont believe in anything

actually atheists believe that there is no God.<br /> <br /> agnostics aren't sure.<br /> <br /> ph and i agree with the "one" referring to unity.. <br /> <br /> amazing song(:

im wondering, i've heard about this "christian" in lots of the green day meaning pages and i have no clue who he is. explanation anyone?

@YellowLedbetterLove <br /> My sentiments exactly .. everyone believes that they have a right answer<br />

I really agree with you on this one. I think it's absolutley tragic that soliders are coming back to such an unpatriotic place and they dont get the health care needed to heal the physical and especailly mental damages. Suicide rate is so very high for returning troops and I've seen many people who have been permanently screwed up in the head from war and it causes so much pain for their families and many of them turn to alcohol. In saying that, yes we all want peace but you just cant go back and you cant be angry and disrespectful to the people trying to fix the problems. ethical or not, it is what it is and the soliders need respect when they come home b/c without the pride when they come back what is there? broken homes, dead friends, missed years of your childs life, being handicapped.... Many doint think its worth it but those who are protecting you get the sacrifice and so do their famillies, trust me, I've expirienced it all

you know we are the hand of destroyer, we can kill anybody but what the soldier can do can they revive people from death, sometimes when i saw a picture of soldier that on war do really they deserve on field that no mercy who cause this situation with no heart, stop everything lets be friendly at least war on other things, but i just realize we too crazy to be a god like

What you say is true, my friend, sad, but true. For you can only have one choice, but you never know if the choice you made is right until it has been decided and by then it is too late and you can never take it back. I agree with you completely.

I also think it's about PST.

wow a never thought about c&g in this song i only thought about the no war mind of green day and could possibly be about c&g

Ok, I really don't know what your getting at with Christian statues and crosses being stones... but the biggest problem with your theory is the whole thing about Christians lying about saying they're forgiving. I don't care if Green Day is ragging on that or not, people who think that's true are really kinda ignorant about how true Christianity is. If you meet a Christian who isn't forgiving, then that's not a good Christian, and not someone who you should put as an example for all of Christianity.<br /> <br /> I just find it kind of insulting that this has become the stereotype for all Christians, when it's far from the truth.

undercanvaswraps,you're my hero.

You might be on to something there with the whole "looking for forgiveness from a stone" thing, but you are way off with the Christianity thing. Christians don't look for forgiveness from a stone (or a cross or a statues for that matter), that's "idol worship" which is, FYI, not Christianity. But awesome song, regardless of the incorrect assumptions people are making of it.

i agree, it could b about it christianity, and to the guys who replied to this, every1 knows that christians dont actually pray to the statues, and if they don't then they're very ignorant. If this line is about C&G then i would say one of them lied and is remorseful about it and is trying to get forgiveness from the other, who is being cold and emotionless (stone)

undercanvaswraps, nice job :)<br /> <br /> with all that aside, i took the 'stone' to refer a gravestone, and how the subject was looking for forgiveness for something he did to someone that was buried, and so he was only talking to a stone

guys, <br /> there's another religion pray for forgiveness. And they pray the stone. I'm not christian. That religion is ISLAM. there's a black stone at their holy place.

i can see though where the whole non forgiving thing is though i mean, xtains are forgiving yes but there are some holier than thou that give ppl the wrong idea. idk bout the stones though.. like i know that there are some chatholics that do look to icons that help them worship such as the virgin mary... i myself am i christian and go to a school where we study other religions such as islam and i think sataniccupid is going in the right direction.

Thank you, undercanvas wraps.<br /> <br /> Well, no offense xxfcklovexx, but if your school taught you that "chatholics" use "icons to help them worship such as the virgin mary", they misguided you. Everyone, please note that CATHOLICS DO NOT WORSHIP ANYONE BUT GOD. Thus, nobody worships Mary; She is just revered as Christ's mother. This is a huge huge misconception about about Catholicism.<br /> <br /> Sorry to Green Day + fans for the tangent. I am Catholic, and I get that a lot, which is frustrating since it's not at all true.<br /> <br /> Also, Billie Joe has been quoted saying (according to him imdb site), "I believe there's a higher power somewhere. I just don't know what it is. I really like a lot of Catholic symbolism. Me and Adrienne collect a lot of crucifixes and rosary beads and stuff like that. In our house, we have a lot of candles and stuff like that."<br /> <br /> Not that Green Day is afraid to hit Catholicism, but I don't think he's turning a stone into a Catholic icon, especially considering sataniccupid's contribution to the discussion. Thanks by the way, I didn't know that. <br /> <br /> p.s. Good song.

*his imdb site, my bad

i think the whole religion thing is way off i agree with "wintonas" its a grave stone hes asking forgiveness from but its not literal its a simile for intense regret for his actions and their consequences.<br /> <br /> if you look at the 3 lines before u can understand it better:<br /> <br /> "Did you try to live on your own<br /> When you burned down the house and home?<br /> Did you stand too close to the fire?<br /> Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone"<br /> <br /> If u take the anti-war line, the house and home represents the institution of the united states or the constitution or whatever, any ethical system really. He thought he was upholding its values but he burnt it to the ground unknowingly. Of course living without some structured ethical system to believe in (living on your own) simply doesn't work.<br /> Now its all well and good to say he was doing the right thing from a distance, but when ur the one burning the house down u realise how misguided u really have been. you get burned also because ur too close (this ties in with the whole "your in ruins" line, referring to his broken spirit and soul).<br /> Finally he compares his remorse to asking for forgiveness from a gravestone, which is of course futile and besides it is far to late to reverse the outcome or change the past.<br /> <br />

yea i guess its likely not. but its just my interpretation anyway. kinda like how many people always see the anti war or political message i saw and look for the antireligous. you can take any line and stretch it into whatever you wanna see. anyway songs awesome.

yea i guess its likely not. but its just my interpretation anyway. kinda like how many people always see the anti war or political message i saw and look for the antireligous. you can take any line and stretch it into whatever you wanna see. anyway songs awesome.

liars get forgiveness through a stone in only one way i can think of: being stoned. it's saying that the only way this world forgives is through condemnation and judgment on one another.

I think you are right. It's another hit at Christianity. And the stone in this I think is the 10 Commandments stone. But that is just my guess, since I am not Christian I don't really know whom one would beg for forgiveness from.

this is liberal doesn't care what religion you are, the stone is gravestone that been killed, ask forgiveness to the death something that doesn't reply to you.. stop the kill or just be kill

i dont apreciate ppl judging others by relogion...im a baptist, a strong christian and proud of it!!!!!!!...but you have to take in to concideration that christanity is not the only religion...we do not worship crosses...but the cross represents that Jesus died for our sins and is a reminder of the Gift that He has given us...i have been taught about many other religions and i do know that some worship idols...<br /> <br /> <br /> this is a wonderful song and im hooked...i believe that it has very mixed meanings...it points to the issue with Christian and Gloria...but then again it has many lines that deal with war and forgiveness...and most of the song goes to bothe sides...like i said...i believe that it points to both of the issues and many issues that we do not reconize are in there....we could be missing the point of the song completely!...but i am finding some of my own assumptions and belief it the song, the meanings that some on here are stating, yet there are some things that ppl are saying on here that i just DO NOT BELIEVE!

in a interview with mike dirnt he said that the album was not a concept album in whole but all the songs are related. the album does not actually follow a story but the songs often refer to each other, im pretty sure it's about Christian and Gloria

"Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone." <br /> Many have been saying it's a jab at Christianity. Don't worry fellow Christians who enjoy this song. It's not in the slightest. Here's why. <br />

1. Billie (the singer/writer of the song) has already stated previously that he's been there, so this entire song also implies to him. I know for a fact he is not Christian. <br />
2. When he says looking for forgiveness from a stone he's reffering to what or who he is standing against. He has already given up, but the person is still attacking. ("Burned down house and home.") He asks the person to show mercy, but the person continues. This is asking a stone for forgiveness. THe person is like a stone in the way he can't/won't forgive him so it's pointless.<br />

we all have our own interpretations of the song. and i respect that you just thought of another interpretation other than anti war. but please, next time you say what you think, think again before you say it..you never know how many Christians or people you accidentally hurt because of that. if you really have a religion, you must learn how to respect other religion. or if you don't have one, this is a request from me, just try asking yourself why you're here in this world and who can actually create the universe and put you into it. you don't just breathe to grow biologically, achieve something in life then die. maybe you'll come to your senses and actually be a christian someday. i believe God forgives anyone and accepts their repentance. Just call Him anytime you want. i pray for your wellness. God bless you.<br /> <br />

I'd like to point out to walkingparadox that while Catholics don't technically worship people like Mary or any of the saints the there is however a large amount of iconography in Catholic churches and other Catholic building and it is customary for Catholics to pray to various saint depending on what they might be the patron of. This is actually one of the main reasons that protestantism was created. Also to onesimus i think that it's totally hypocritical of you to say that people should respect each others religions and then immediately tell atheists to reconsider their views, Respecting peoples religion also means respecting people lack of religion.<br /> <br /> To everyone else I'm to have used so much space talking about something unrelated to the song so I'll say that I don't really care what the song is about but i enjoy listening to it.

I would just like to say I agreed with edtoaster's comment about how the stone is in fact a gravestone. In war, people are killed. One killed there is no way to ask forgiveness from the dead. All is left is possibly a grave stone, not even that if the person is MIA for eternity.<br /> <br /> As well, I would like to comment on onesimus' reply. Everyone does have their own religion and should respect others and their religions and not hold judgment or resentment against them for it. Everyone has a right to choose their own religion, regardless of what it is. Just because you believe in God does not mean others have to. And just because others don't believe in Him, doesn't mean they are wrong. Some people don't need "God" to bless them.

Lamee

@Tigreen555 <br /> I thought it was talking about Islam. Live on their own laws. Burning into the hell fire if you disbelieve. and Joe thinks that is like a lier looking for forgiveness from the blackstone (Al-hajr Al-aswad) but hell no. nothing to do with religions. It was talking about someone's looking for forgiveness from a gravestone (the dead) and you get nothing. There was no reply. This song is same as Islam... talks about peace. No war. The blackstone in Islam is not give you anything, anyway.

I have to agree with nokejibijab regarding this post. As a 3X combat vet of Iraq I must admit this song touches me despite my political views. Theres a sense of realism with the lyrics, an underlying truth untold. The meaning of the song is exactly what this 5-20-09 post defines it as.

I think this song is about the alienation felt by those who try to liberate themselves from the system. George and Gloria have been fighting the system and preaching their message for most of the album. This song also reflects the effects that returning soldiers suffer from the horrors of war, perhaps after George went to war in "peacemaker"?

War is terrible. Killing is terrible. For killing and war split the soul against itself. Your soul begins to fight itself, for when you kill, your soul not only is split, but also is tainted by the killing of another sentient being. Eventally you will change into someone whom if you had not killed you would've never become.

Fuck yeah!<br /> About time someone said it.<br /> We need to surrender.<br /> Killing innocents and going into debt for the pride of victory is really fucking stupid.

These motherfuckers attacked us first. Should we have done nothing with the Japanese and Pearl Harbor? It brought us into that war! Should we have done nothing in WWI when Napoleon was doing genocide? Should we not have done something with Hitler? It's unpatriotic to say that and fucking stupid.

"Should we have done nothing in WWI when Napoleon was doing genocide?"<br /> <br /> you should check your facts before you post you ultra conservative prick. First off the Iraqis did not attack us first they didn't attack us at all we were "told" by intelligence agencies that they had "WMD's" which were and will never be found as there were none(unlike north Korea that tested long range ballistic missile systems and we looked the other way). Second Napoleon died 93 years before the start of WWI but hey i guess if his body was polluting a local water supply he could have caused massive deaths over a town. as for being Unpatriotic here is a direct quote for the Deceleration of Independence Signed July 4th 1776 by our four fathers.<br /> <br /> We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, – That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. – Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.<br /> <br /> <br />

Wow, you're someone that actually gets it, Bravejango. <br /> <br /> And "Buttsniffer" are you referring to the 9/11 attacks when you say "These motherfuckers attacked us first"? <br /> <br /> Like, a scary majority of people in the US truly believe that the 9/11 attack was committed by Iraq; therefore, we should blow the brains out of everyone in the country. When in fact, its the freaking wrong country all together! Iraq had NOTHING to do with it.<br /> <br /> And, I don't think you can "do genocide".

that is truly true... this has to be my favorite green day song ever...

P.S. We weren't even attacked by a country, but rather a terrorist group that hates us because people like ButtSniffer can't stand the fact that they don't believe in the same things.

the french national anthem?

nah it nothing different to me green day activist

To be honest, this one isn't very different, Green Day experement a lot with their sound, occasionally changing it to accoustic, we've seen this in "Macy's Day Parade", "Whatsername", "Good Riddance", "F.O.D", and even a really good, fast accoustic called "Peacemaker" (which you should probably check out, it's amasing :D . These guys just like to vary their sound to make a statement that they aren't predictable, but this deffinately isn't a new style for them. hope this helped x

I like this interpretation..closest possible one I've read...and I agree. it doesn't have to even be about war. its about people in a struggle against something be it a soldier from a war or a teenager fighting for freedom from their parent's control.

i agree you prob have the closest interpitation. also.. i dont know what the one is... but 21 guns are fired at a soldiers funeral. being a soldier myself.. i have seen it.

you could be right irondal2, but also if you've seen the video, it has a big part in the 21st century breakdown storyline (don't forget the CD is a rock opera) the characters Christian and Gloria are kind of brought to an end in the Climax of the story in the music video. Because after they give up their cause, and what they were fighting for (21 guns) it all turns to Mass Hysteria, and the whole "I don't wanna live in the modern world" Christian believes that all that's good in America has died "American Eulogy"

I personally believe that the "one" is the person. The person the twenty-one guns are being fired for, the one that died. And if you read several of the comments on this page and piece them together, you'll notice that everything wraps up and fits rather neatly into one little package. I could quote each of the biggest pieces of that puzzle here, but I think it'd have more meaning to piece it together yourself. ;)

for? or at?

well the 21 gun salute is not just for burials, they are used at the ingauration of the president, it is the highest honor that anyone can recieve, besides the medal of honor. I really love your thoughts, the first time i acctually heard the song was sung for the 60th anniversery of the Korean war. It has a beautiful message, that can fit into almost any life. It is not just about how "patriotic" someone is or isn't, but an experience that changed a point of view.