Analysis Of Bono's 'Bloody Sunday'
In their song “Sunday Bloody Sunday”, U2, a rock and roll band from Dublin, reflect on the tragedy that occurred one Sunday in Derry, Northern Ireland. Although several events in Irish history have been termed ‘Bloody Sunday,’ Bono sings about the events in Ireland/Northern Ireland in the late 20th century. During this time, the Catholic people of Northern Ireland wanted Northern Ireland to reunite with the Republic of Ireland while the Protestant people wanted to remain apart of the United Kingdom. Some of those who wanted to reunite with Ireland joined the Irish Republican Army, a party who campaigned to unite with the Republic of Ireland. When the British learned this was happening, they began Operation Demetrius, an operation conducted
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There was a lot of tension between Irish Catholics and Protestants throughout the late 20th century in Ireland. Contrary to popular belief, Bono claims the song advocates for a peaceful coexistence among the people regardless of their religion and isn’t a rebel song calling for unification of the two countries as Bono stressed on many occasions. Bono stresses coexistence when he says “we can be as one tonight.” Although this may sound like a call for unification, Bono merely expresses his desire for one unified people, regardless of their religious differences. Bono also rejects hate and revenge as a response to the tragedy and the conflicts. Bono sings about the irony in the attack saying “Many lost but tell me who has won.” Here Bono explains that although many lives were lost, there was not a victor in the encounter. This is another point U2 makes in that a peaceful coexistence between the people is more of a solution than drawing each others blood. U2 is tired of seeing the disgust and hatred going on in Ireland and wants it to come to an end. He says “How long, how long must we sing this song.” This is a reference to how long the conflicts between Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland and how many lives were lost. At this point in the conflict, the people were fed up with what was going on and needed an end. Bono encourages people not to continue to fight this war with no victor as this will just for long the violence. Bono says “But I won’t heed the battle call.” Bono expresses that although he is strong in his opinion, he won’t join the war just to promote violence and cause more
There was a lot of tension between Irish Catholics and Protestants throughout the late 20th century in Ireland. Contrary to popular belief, Bono claims the song advocates for a peaceful coexistence among the people regardless of their religion and isn’t a rebel song calling for unification of the two countries as Bono stressed on many occasions. Bono stresses coexistence when he says “we can be as one tonight.” Although this may sound like a call for unification, Bono merely expresses his desire for one unified people, regardless of their religious differences. Bono also rejects hate and revenge as a response to the tragedy and the conflicts. Bono sings about the irony in the attack saying “Many lost but tell me who has won.” Here Bono explains that although many lives were lost, there was not a victor in the encounter. This is another point U2 makes in that a peaceful coexistence between the people is more of a solution than drawing each others blood. U2 is tired of seeing the disgust and hatred going on in Ireland and wants it to come to an end. He says “How long, how long must we sing this song.” This is a reference to how long the conflicts between Northern Ireland and The Republic of Ireland and how many lives were lost. At this point in the conflict, the people were fed up with what was going on and needed an end. Bono encourages people not to continue to fight this war with no victor as this will just for long the violence. Bono says “But I won’t heed the battle call.” Bono expresses that although he is strong in his opinion, he won’t join the war just to promote violence and cause more