THE DAMNED : IN DULCE DECORUM (1986)

Η πηγή της επόμενης, μεγαλειώδους αντιπολεμικής διακήρυξης είναι απροσδόκητη. Γιατί η τελευταία απ’ την οποία θα περίμενε κανείς κάτι τέτοιο είναι η τυπικά “κυνική” / “αυτοκαταστροφική” μπάντα-αρχέτυπο της πανκ σκηνής των mid-late 70s. Της οποίας άλλωστε είχαν σηματοδοτήσει, δισκογραφικά, την έκρηξη. Δέκα χρόνια αργότερα οι Damned είναι μια διαφορετική μπάντα – εξακολουθώντας να βρίσκονται στην αιχμή της δημιουργικότητάς τους. Το single ‘In Dulce Decorum’ προέρχεται από το άλμουμ τους Anything του 1986. Ο τίτλος αποτελεί παράφραση του λατινικού «Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori» (από τις Ωδές του Οράτιου), που σημαίνει «Είναι γλυκό και τιμητικό να πεθαίνει κανείς για την πατρίδα» Το τραγούδι θα γινόταν ευρύτερα γνωστό χάρη στη χρήση ενός instrumental mix από τους παραγωγoύς του …Miami Vice– το οποίο επίσης ακούμε. 🔴 🔴 The source of the following majestic anti-war declaration is unexpected. Because the last place one would expect something like this from is the typically “cynical” / “self-destructive” archetypal band of the mid-late 70s punk scene. The very band that, after all, had — discographically — signaled the explosion of that scene. Ten years later, The Damnedare a different band — while still remaining at the peak of their creativity. ‘In Dulce Decorum’is from their 1986 album Anything. The title is a paraphrase of the Latin «Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori» (from Horace’s Odes), which means «It is sweet and honourable to die for one’s homeland». The song became more widely known thanks to the use of an instrumental mix by the producers of …Miami Vice— which we also hear.

Dear mother how I will write this line
When I know I’m counting time
I’m tired and I’m scared
I’m waiting and death’s my friend
To say in God we trust not for this
Oh the death and glory boys not for this
Dear beloved try to write to you
Through the senseless deaths of a million troops
I’m waiting my time is near
As my tears wash away my years
To say in God we trust not for this
Oh the death and glory boys not for this
Where I walk where I see
The haunting flares where my friends bleed
I see the face of the enemy
Of a man or boy who is just like me
Now you’re not there
All the tears we bled
Cut through like winters rain
Can’t you feel the pain
And if I could ever sleep again
I know till the end of time I’d hear
Their screams of pain
Dulce dulce decorum
Dulce dulce decorum
Dulce
Dear mother I’ll write to you

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4 Comments

  1. Liz Gauffreau March 8, 2026 at 4:49 pm

    “Dulce et Decorum Est” always brings to mind the Wilfred Owen poem of the same title. The images of a gas attack are horrific. I think the only poem that is just as, if not more, horrific is “The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner” by Randall Jarrell.

    Reply
  2. Ken Powell March 9, 2026 at 12:08 pm

    Cracking track – it’ll stay with me for the whole day now! You’ve missed the most important source for this song though. While the Latin is indeed from Horace, the words are better known through Wilfrid Owen’s war poem with the same title. Once read, it is obvious this song is based completely around that poem. At the time The Damned were famous, every person in the UK who had studied their O levels or very new GCSEs would have known that poem very, very well. It remains a classic taught in schools even today – and for damned good reason (pun intended).

    Reply
    1. Oannes March 10, 2026 at 9:51 am

      You’re right of course Ken. Thank you for the correction!

      Reply
  3. Resa March 28, 2026 at 5:13 am

    Love the Miami Vice remix!

    Reply

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